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<)    ^      d 


POEMS, 


WRITTEN  DURING  HIS  EARLY  PROFESSIONAL  YEARS, 


HON.  JESSE  WALKER, 


A  BRIEF  NOTICE  OF  THE  AUTHOR 


REV.  MONTGOMERY  SCHUYLER. 


"  Honored  be  the  page  that  breathes  — 
Though  rudely  wrought  its  outer  garments  are  — 
Of  Virtue,  Truth,  Fio> litj,  and  LOTJ." 

Pagt  73. 


BUFFALO: 
PHINNEY   <fc   CO.,   PUBLISHERS. 

1854. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1854, 
By  B.  A.  WALKER, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United 
States  for  the  Northern  District  of  New  York. 


TO  THE  BLESSED  MEMORY 

or 

BELA    D.    COE, 

THE  EARLY  AND  TRIED  FRIEND  OF  THE  AUTHOR, 

Cfjta  ILittlt  Foluntf  is  afffctionatrlg  BeWratrtr, 

BY    ONE 

TO  WHOM  THE  REMEMBRANCE  OF  BOTH  IS  PRECIOUS. 


182310B 


CO  XT  1C  NTS. 


INVOCATION  TO  GKXII •>, !' 

THE  SELF-DEVOTED, 23 

LOVES  OF  TIIK  LAKE? '17 

MORAL  BEAVTY, I'" 

A  BOOK,       7 1 

THE  HEAUTH-STONE, 77 

ADDRESS,  SPOKEN  AT  TIIK  OI-EXIXG  ov  THE  BUFFALO 

THEATER,    . 81 

THE  HERO  OF  THE  PLAGUE, ^7 

SONG  OK  THE  GOLDEX  LYIIE, 105 

TKHOSEROROX, Ill 

SCENERY  OF  LAKE  GEORGE 115 

HOME, 11!) 

LET  LOVE  ABIDE  FOREVEE, 123 

I  LOVE  THEE,  BROTHER, .  125 

A  FRAGMENT, .  127 

THE  YIITOU  SriRtT .  l.'U 

SATTRDAY  K^KXI.VG,       .  153 

r 


II  CONTESTS. 

"  DIES  IRAK,"       153 

THE  BAPTISM, 159 

LINES  FOR  THE  NEW  YEAR, 161 

ODE  TO  LIBERTY,       167 

THE  PATRIOT'S  TKIUMPU, 173 


PKEFACE. 


IT  would  seem  fitting  and  proper  that  a  brief  notice 
of  the  Author  of  this  little  volume  of  Poems  should 
accompany  its  publication.  And  it  is  eminently  fitting 
and  proper  that  this  notice  should  be  in  the  style  and 
spirit  of  unobtrusive  modesty  which  so  pre-eminently 
characterized  its  subject 

JUDGE  WALKER  was  born  in  the  town  of  Whiting, 
Addison  Co.,  Vt,  and  was  graduated  at  Middlebury 
College,  in  the  summer  of  1833. 

He  began,  the  same  year,  the  study  of  Law,  and  in 
1835  removed  to  Buffalo,  where,  in  1836,  he  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

While  engaged  in  his  legal  pursuits,  he  found  time 
to  cultivate  his  taste  for  general  literature,  and  it  was 
during  these  first  years  of  his  professional  life,  that  the 
greater  number  of  these  poems  were  written. 


IV  PREFACE. 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  the  partiality  of  friendship  which 
has  influenced  our  judgment  of  their  merits,  in  ad 
vising  their  publication,  and  yet  have  we  so  much  con 
fidence  in  their  intrinsic  worth,  as  stamped  with  the 
marks  of  poetic  genius,  and  as  glowing  with  the  warmth 
of  a  genial  sympathy,  a  true-hearted  benevolence,  and 
a  high-toned  morality,  that  we  do  not  fear  the  lash  of 
ill-natured  criticism.  We  send  them  forth,  not  only 
as  a  grateful  memorial  of  their  author,  to  the  immedi 
ate  circle  of  private  friendship,  but  on  a  more  extend 
ed  mission,  to  beguile  the  leisure  hours  of  the  stran 
ger,  with  the  bright  pictures  of  the  chastened  fancy, 
the  kindling  thoughts,  and  the  ennobling  sentiments  of 
one  who  ever  cherished  in  his  own  heart  the  feelings 
of  a  common  brotherhood  with  his  fellows.  In  the 
language  of  one  of  his  favorite  classics,  "Jlomo  sum, 
atfjue  nil  humannm  a  me  allenum  puto" 

We  are  satisfied  that  no  one  (for  example)  can  read 
the  poem  entitled  "  The  Hero  of  the  Plague,"  or  "  The 
Self-Devoted,"  and  rise  from  their  perusal,  without 
conceiving  a  high  respect  for  the  nobility,  both  of 
heart  and  mind,  which  could  dictate  them. 


PREFACE.  V 

We  did  not  propose,  in  the  space  we  have  assigned 
ourselves,  a  lengthened  notice  of  the  life  and  writings 
of  the  author.  It  was  our  wish  to  make  the  notice 
such  as  his  own  modest  appreciation  of  himself  would 
have  approved ;  and  yet,  it  seems  due  to  his  memory 
that  the  following  proceedings  of  the  members  of  the 
Bar,  had  upon  the  news  of  his  death,  should  have  a 
more  permanent  record  than  the  ephemeral  columns  of 
a  Daily  Newspaper. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Bar,  of  the 
city  of  Buffalo,  held  at  the  Court  House  on  the  eve. 
ning  of  the  6th  inst,  in  reference  to  the  death  of 
Judge  WALKER — ELIJAH  FORD,  Esq.,  was  called  to 
the  chair,  and  WM.  F.  MILLER  appointed  secretary. 
Messrs.  CAMERON,  BAKER  and  NICHOLS,  were  appoint 
ed  a  committee  on  resolutions.  After  a  few  appropri 
ate  and  eloquent  remarks  from  H.  CAMERON,  A.  P. 
NICHOLS,  J.  0.  PUTNAM  and  B.  THOMPSON,  the  fol 
lowing  resolutions  were  offered  by  A.  P.  NICHOLS 
Esq.,  from  the  committee  on  resolutions,  and  passed  by 
the  meeting. 

"  Whereas,  The  mysterious  Providence  of  God  has 


vl  PREFACE. 

suddenly  snatched  from  our  midst  the  Hon.  Jesse 
Walker,  Judge  of  Erie  County,  Therefore  it  is 

"Resolved  by  us,  his  surviving  brethren  of  the  Bar, 
that  in  the  death  of  Judge  Walker,  Justice  has  lost 
from  out  her  Temple  a  pure  and  upright  minister — 
the  county  of  Erie  an  able  and  valued  Judge,  and  our 
selves  a  most  worthy  and  deserving  brother. 

"  Resolved,  That  by  this  bereavement,  so  sudden,  so 
unexpected,  we  are  deeply  and  keenly  afflicted.  In 
the  prime  of  life  and  health — in  the  maturity  of  ri 
pened  powers,  cultured  and  enriched  by  much  nice  and 
varied  learning — just  entered  upon  the  duties  of  an 
honorable  and  responsible  official  station,  in  which  stu 
dious  habits,  patience  of  examination,  solidity  of  judg 
ment,  integrity,  courtesy  and  modesty,  gave  assured 
promise  of  excellence,  and  walking  before  men  blame 
less  in  the  purity  of  his  private  life  and  domestic  rela 
tions,  our  friend  has  been  cut  down  and  removed.  We 
mourn  his  loss  and  will  cherish  his  memory.  How 
impressive  the  reiteration  of  that  fearful  truth  which 
we  all  so  well  know,  yet  so  little  heed,  that,  "  in  the 
midst  of  life  we  are  in  death."  *  *  * 


PREFACE.  VII 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Court  over  which  our  de 
ceased  friend  and  brother  so  lately  presided,  in  the  flush 
and  buoyancy  of  health,  at  its  next  session,  be  moved 
that  these  resolutions  be  entered  in  its  minutes,  as  a 
permanent  testimonial  of  our  sorrow  for  his  loss,  and 
respect  for  his  character."  *  *  * 

There  is  no  allusion,  in  the  above  proceedings,  to 
the  Christian  calmness  and  resignation  which  marked 
his  last  hours.  He  died  in  the  full  possession  of  his 
faculties,  and  in  the  peaceful  trust  of 

"  One  who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

He  received  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Sup 
per,  and,  in  peace  with  God  and  man,  fell  asleep,  and 
"  was  gathered  to  his  fathers." 


INVOCATION  TO  GENIUS. 


tthotatimt  to  (Stnhis. 


i. 

CHILD  of  the  skies !  spark  of  celestial  fire ! 

Yet  doomed  on  earth  awhile  in  man  to  burn 
With  bright  and  transient  gleams  and  then 

expire  : 
Thy  reign  no  bounds  —  thy  flight  has  no 

return. 

Thy  course,  forever  onward,  cannot  learn 
The    mystery    of    thy   being ;     nor    thought 

define, 

Kor  yet  the  workings  of  thyself  discern. 
Must  Season  then  o'er  thee  her  power  resign, 
K" or  hope  to  know  thy  destiny  —  thy  source 
divine  ? 


12  INVOCATION   TO    GENIUS. 

II. 

"VVaked  into  birth  by  Nature's  kindly  care, 

And  from  his  silent  slumbers  roused  to  fill 
The  measure  of  the  soul,  who  shall  declare 
The  limits  of  that  high,  mysterious  skill, 
That  taught  the   noblest   powers  of  mind 

distil 
From  Nature's  works  their  sweets,  nor  yet  to 

find 

Throughout  the  valley,  verdant  plain,  or  hill, 
A  spot  whereon  to  rest  in  peace  resigned, 
But  yet  must  rove  through  all  creation  un- 
confine 

III. 

Such  is  the  flight  that  Genius  takes  around 
The  viewless  regions  of  the  boundless  skies, 

That  naught  of  sight  remains  unseen,  or  sound 
Unheard  in  all  the  lovely  tones  that  rise 
In  song,  or  scenes  designed  for  mortal  eyes  ; 


INVOCATION   TO    GENIUS.  13 

But  varied  views  and  harmonies,  combined 

By  Nature's  plastic  hand,  with  glad  surprise 
Do  charm  the  finer  feelings  of  the  mind, 
And  blend  in  that  consistent  piece,  by  heaven 
designed. 

IV. 

Borne  on  the  ceaseless  wings  of  time  along, 
Like  burnin     stars  that  shoot  athwart  the 


Now  seen  to  fall,  and  now  his  course  prolong  — 
Now  to  depart,  yet  ever  linger  nigh  — 
Immortal  Genius  wings  his  way  on  high, 

While  Reason's  powers   her  brightest   gems 

display, 
At  first  to  shine,  and  then  in  darkness  die  : 

The  vast  extent  of  earth  and  air  survey, 

Nor  yet  the  laws  of  matter  or  of  mind  obey. 

Y. 

His  ever  kind  regard,  no  favorite  knows  : 


14  INVOCATION    TO    GENIUS. 

The  friend  of  all  —  of  every  art  the  pride  - 
Alike  on  rich  and  poor  his  smile  bestows, 
And  gives  to  them  the  boon  by  wealth  de 
nied. 
To  him  imagination  opens  wide 

Her  shining  gates,  and  quick  appears  a  scene 
With  every  sight,  and  sound,  and  sense  sup 
plied, 

"Where  gentle  rivers  roll  the  hills  between, 
And   shades  and   fragrant  flowers  adorn  the 
vales  of  green. 

VI 

From  every  grove  her  fairy  forms  arise 
Clothed  in  the  beauties  of  eternal  spring, 

While  notes  that  swell  the  music  of  the  skies 
Are  borne  aloft  on  every  peaceful  wing, 
And  tuneful  echoes  make  the  valleys  ring 

Responsive  to  the  notes  that  now  display 
Their    merriment,  and    now   their    sorrows 
sing; 


INVOCATION    TO    GENIUS.  15 

All  Fancy's  image  clothed  in  bright  array, 
Like  visions  of  ethereal  bliss  in  endless  day. 

VII. 

Yet  ever  onward  down  the  vale  of  time, 

Beyond   the   bounds   where   human  vision 

soars, 
Imagination  takes  her  flight  sublime, 

And   there   the   scenes  of  future  years  ex 
plores  ; 

"While  Genius,  flying  in  her  train,  well  stores 
The   minds    he   loves  with    treasures   of  the 

field, 

And  tvhen  returning  backward,  still  adores 
The  God  that  made  the  earth  her  flowers  to 

yield, 

And  opened  wide  the  scenes   to   him    alone 
revealed. 

VIII. 

Nor  only  to  the  future  doth  he  fly ; 


16  INVOCATION    TO   GENIUS. 

But  backward  goes  to  view  the  fleeting  past, 
And  see  the  long  forgotten  scenes  that  lie, 

By  time's  and  dark  oblivion's  shade  o'ercast, 

When  first  the  ocean  flowed  and  earth  stood 

fast! 

He  owns  no   tyrant's   sway  and    knows    no 
home, 

But  lives  to  be  adored  while  time  shall  last, 
Whether  he  shines  beneath  the  lofty  dome, 
Or  stands  arnid  the  ruins  of  eternal  Rome  ! 


IX. 

pauses  Genius  here.     He  waits  noi>time. 
Science  receives  his  radiant  flash  of  light, 
When  first  her  sons  essay  the  hill  to  climb, 
Like  meteors  bursting  through  the  shades  of 

night 
Whose  fitful  flashes  serve  their  course   to 

light, 
Along  that  rugged  steep  where  few  may  go, 


INVOCATION    TO   GENIUS.  IT 

Whose    summit,  once  attained,  gives  pure 

delight 

To  those  assembled  there ;  while  those  below 
Look  envious  up  and  sigh  for  joys  they  can 
not  kno\v. 

X. 

Nor  yet  alone  does  Science  feel  his  power. 
Her  handmaid  —  heavenly  Art — by  Genius 

led 

Triumphant,  upward  flies  the  lofty  tower 
TThere  sits  perfection,  on  whose  lovely  head 
There  rests  a  crown  with  glorious  wreaths 

o'erspread, 

Composed  of  every  verdant  flower  that  grows 
In  wood  or  vale,  while  Learning's  light  is 

shed 

On  all  the  attributes  herself  compose  ; 
To  each  imparts  the  light  that  Nature's  works 
disclose. 
2* 


18  INVOCATION     TO    GENIUS. 

XL 

Beyond    th'   Atlantic's    wave  —  the    land    of 

song  — 
"Where   old    republics    stood    in   conscious 

pride  ; 

There  Genius  held  his  godlike  sway,  and  long 
Received  the  praise  to  prince  and  king  de 
nied. 

There  Eloquence  once  held  dominion  wide, 
And  Sculpture  made  the  sleeping  marble  rise  ; 
There  Sappho  dwelt,  and  Plato  lived  and 

died  ; 
There    Painting  —  art    divine  —  displayed    a 

prize 

Might   almost  win    to    earth  an    angel    from 
the  skies. 

XII. 
Britannia's  land  has  seen  a  Bacon  rise 

Whose  conquering   genius   triumphed    o'er 
dismav. 


INVOCATION    TO    GENIUS.  19 

And  Newton's  giant  mind  explore  the  skies 
And  teach  the  light  its  varied  hues  display  : 
The  one  the  deep  recess  of  mind  survey  — 
Its  subtle  and  mysterious  march  make  known  : 
The  other  teach  what  laws  the  spheres  obey, 
While     they     revolve     around     the     eternal 

zone  :— 

Immortal   spirits  !    Genius  claimed  them  for 
his  own. 

XIII. 

Yet  other  climes  have  had  their  fav'rite  few, 
Who  sought  the  prize  the  child  of  Genius 

gains, 

And  other  times  have  seen  them  well  pursue 
The    trackless,  rayless    path    that    heaven 

ordains. 

'Twas  thus  —  oppressed  with  penury's  gall 
ing  chains, 

While    foaming     waves    in'    restless    eddies 
whirled  — 


20  INVOCATION    TO    GENIUS. 

Columbus  left  his  native  hills  and  plains, 
And  to  the  fitful  breeze  his  sails  unfurled, 
Far  toward  the  setting   sun,  and    found  the 
Western  world. 


XIV. 

On  this  fair  land  has  Genius  fixed  his  eyes  : 
What  though  her  lovely  sons  have  not  dis 
played 

The  brightest  gem  that  in  her  bosom  lies  ; 
Yet  here  are  opening  flowers  that  cannot 

fade. 
What  though  nor  rank,  nor  noble  birth  has 

made 
Them    known  to   fame  ;    yet  here  shall  they 

obtain 

The  rich  reward  to  worth  and  merit  paid. 
Though  void  of  patronage  that  kings  ordain, 
Yet  they  shall  live  and  shine  in  Freedom's 
happy  reign. 


INVOCATION    TO   GENIUS.  21 

XV. 

Let  Genius  here  his  nobler  powers  display  — 
With  living  laurels  crown  the  Statesman's 

fame  ; 
Let  Liberty  here  shine  with  purest  ray, 

And   youthful   Patriots    guard    the  sacred 

flame ! 

Here  let  the  Muse's  deathless  notes  proclaim 
The    beauty    of   the    bright    and    glittering 

gems 
T3  at  shine    around     immortal     Franklin's 

name, 

Till    every  tongue    the    ruthless    hand    con 
temns 

That  tears  one  wreath  from  off  our  nation's, 
diadems. 

XVI. 

Let  virtue's  consecrated  temple  rise 
From  its  broad  basis  to  the  lofty  spire  ; 


22  INVOCATION    TO    GENIUS. 

Of  Genius  claim  the  holy  sacrifice 

That  love,  and  hope,  and  truth  divine  in 
spire. 

Let  folly,  sin  and  crime  in  shame  retire  ; 
Let  proud  oppression  meet  his  fearful  doom, 

And  hated  vice  with  mournful  sighs  expire  ; 
Let  Freedom  live  the  while  in  vernal  bloom, 
And  sing  her  solemn  dirge  around  the  Pat 
riot's  tomb ! 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 


HAIL  to  the  Patriot's  fame ! — To  virtue,  liail ! 

All  praise  be  due  to  pity's  melting  tear, 
Aiid  perished  heroes  mourn  with  deepest 

wail ! 

"With  sorrow  see  the  tyrant's  power  appear, 
His  dark'ning  spirit  thirsting  for  revenge 
With  appetite    which  time    nor   chance    can 

change. 

Thrice  hail  to  him  nnterrified  by  fear, 
And  joyful  be  the  land  that  gave  him  birth ; 
For  there  hath  ISTature  placed  the  noblest  pride 
of  earth 


26  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 

II. 

Know  ye  the  land  such  various  tale  can  tell? 

Felt  ye  the  Patriot's  love  and  tyrant's  hate, 
That  on  the  hope  of  freedom  mingled  fell? 

Saw  ye  the  dark'ning  frowns  of  coming  fate  ? 
Or  heard  ye  then  the  sympathetic  sigh, 
And  saw  the  tear  that  flowed  at  danger  nigh? 

O,  mournful  is  the  Muse  that  shall  relate 
The  sufferings  and  the  perils  of  the  brave, 
Who  sought  and  won  the  honors  that  survive 
the  grave ! 

III. 

Long  time  f he  fearless  host  of  haughty  France 
Opposed    tne    inarch   of  England's   dread 

array, 

"When  proud  KING  EDWARD  bade  his  force  ad 
vance, 

To  seal  the  fate  of  that  eventful  day, 
To  Calais,  which  so  soon  was  doomed  to  bring 


THE    SELF-DEVOTED.  27 

Defeat  or  triumph  proud  to  Albion's  king. 

To  storm  the  town,  in  vain  he  might  essay  ; 
Her  gates  were  strong  —  her  battlements  were 

high  — 
Her    everlasting    watch-towers    reached    the 

vaulted  skv ! 


IY. 

But  yet  for  him  no  work  too  great  appeared, 
No  flaming  brands,  nor  poisoned  darts  he 

threw  : 

No  arms  prepared,  nor  mighty  engines  reared 
He   then,   to   break   the   strong    inclosures 

through  ; 

For  thought  he  not  by  force  to  win  the  day, 
But  waited  for,  of  time,  the  slow  decay. 

To  France  a  foe,  but  to  his  purpose  true, 
Alike  his  care — unheard  the  battle's  din  — 
To  heed  the  storm  without,  and  watch  the  fire 
within. 


28  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 


V. 

Before  the  town  he  placed  his  hostile  band, 

With  fosse  and  mound  so  strongly  fortified, 
That  all  the  host  combined  of  Gallia's  land, 

To  raise  the  siege  both  long  and  vainly  tried, 
Till  famine's  gnawing  pains  upon  them  came, 
And  well-nigh  perished  then  their  deathless 

fame. 
But  though  their  wasted  forms  in  vain  had 

died, 

Their  spirits  slumbered  not  within  the  grave  : 
Each  soul  was  thought  to  live  and  animate  the 
brave ! 

VI. 

Thrice  had    the  golden  harvest  graced   the 
plain 

Since  the  victorious  KING  the  siege  began  ; 
Thrice  had  the  sickle  reaped  the  yellow  grain, 

Since  brave  Vienne  had  led  his  warlike  clan 


THE    SELF-DEVOTED.  29 

Against  the  opposing  foe.   All  Europe  seemed 

Intent  while  bright  opposing  weapons  gleamed. 

At  length  grim  famine,  wasting,  man  by 

man, 

His  troops  away,  became  to  Albion's  land 
A  weapon  stronger  far  than  sword  or  battle 

brand  ! 

VII. 

Each  man,  grown  desperate  now  with  long  de 
lay, 
\Vith  double  vengeance  armed  himself  for 

fight ; 

Forth  from  the  gates  they  came  in  full  array, 
Their  swords  from  out  their  scabbards  flash 
ing  bright, 

And  thirsting  for  the  blood  of  foemen  slain, 
Which  they  did  imprecate  might  spread  the 

plain. 

The    conflict   came,   and    bloody  was    the 
sight  ; 


oO  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 

Swift  then  the  life-destroying  weapons  sped, 
And  thick  around  were  seen  the  dying  and 
the  dead. 


VII L 

The    battle    o'er  —  their    chief    was    captive 

made, 
And  many  brave  were  numbered  with  the 

slain. 
There 's  no  sepulchral  tomb  wherein  they  're 

laid, 
In   mingled   heaps  they  're   buried   on  the 

plain. 

All  who  survived,  within  the  walls  retired, 
But  Freedom's  holy  zeal  had  not  expired, 
For  brave  men  smile  when  foemen  mock 

their  pain. 

The  light  of  peace  they  hardly  hoped  to  see ; 
And,  though  in  body  bound,  in  spirit    they 

were  free ! 


THE    SELF-DEVOTED.  31 


IX. 

The  good  ST.  PIEKEE,  a  man  of  humble  birth, 

Who  stood  in  virtue's  walk  exalted  high, 
Who,  not  of  gold,  but  merit,  gained  his  worth, 
Whose   soul   than   earth  was  fitter  for  the 

sky  — 

The  chief  of  this  so  patriotic  band, 
Would  fain  capitulate  to  leave  the  land, 

And  yield  his  foes  the  crown  of  victory, 
If  England's  monarch  truly  should  declare 
The  army  might  depart  and  breathe  in  free 
dom's  air. 

X. 

The  king,  with  much  pretended  mercy  filled, 
And  breathing  sighs  of  hypocritic  grief 

For  patriotic  men  so  basely  killed, 

In  perjured  pity,  feigned  to  grant  relief. 

He  meditated  long,  when  thus  he  spake  : 

"The  mildest  terms  that  can  atonement  make 


32  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 

For  your  rebellious  acts,  is  for  your  chief 
To  give  six  men  of  highest  birth  and  rank, 
To  expiate  by  death  the  blood  your  Bwords 
have  drank." 


XI. 

The  message  came.    Deep  silence  then  ensued  ; 
Quick  every  face  was  pale  from  sore  dis 
may, 
And  consternation's  wildest  look  pursued 

Them  all,  and  ruled  with  undisputed  sway. 
Each  gazed  on  each  —  their  eyes  to  heaven 

they  raised — 
They  cursed  their  chains — their  God  invoked 

and  praised. 

From  morn  till  night  of  that  eventful  day, 
Loud  sighs  were  heard,  and  tears  were  seen  to 

flow, 

While  every  look  betrayed  their  deep,  unut- 
tered  woe ! 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  33 

XII. 

At  length  ST.  PIEKEE  the  weeping  throng  ad 
dressed  : 

"  My  friends  !  an  awful  crisis  has  arrived. 
Our  wives    so   dear  —  our  infants    long    ca 
ressed  — 

Shall  they  from  us  be  torn,  of  life  deprived  ? 
Or  must  we,  severing,  quite,  the  social  tie, 
Behold  our  daughters,  robbed  of  virtue,  die? 

Our  sires  from  whom  our  being  was  derived, 
Our  good  preservers  —  our  defenders  brave  — 
Shall  we  abandon  to  an  ignominious  grave? 

XIII. 

"No!     Heaven  forbid !     O,  never  be  it  said, 
That  we   our  fathers  and   our  friends   be 
trayed  ! 
A  crown  of  glory  waits  the  martyr's  head, 

And  willing  let  the  sacrifice  be  made. 
What  hope  !  what  dread  alternative  remains, 
3 


34  THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 

Whereby  we  can  escape  the  tyrant's  chains  ? 
"Who   stands   in  virtue's    purest  robes   ar 
rayed  ? 

He  who  will  yield  himself  a  sacrifice, 
Shall  be  approved  of  God  and  angels  when  he 
dies ! " 

XIV. 

He  ceased,  and  there  was  heard  a  stifled  sigh  ; 

A  fearful  silence  then  pervaded  all ; 
Each  looked  around  for  those  self-doomed  to 

die  — 
For  those  resolved  to  save  their  country's 

fall! 
ST.  PIEKRE  the  theme  resumed :  "  The  honor 

great, 
To  be  the  first  to  meet  a  martyr's  fate, 

'T  were  base  to  claim ;  and  baser  still,  to  call 
For  victims  who  the  pains  of  death  defy, 
While  I  should  seek  to  live,  or  meanly  fear  to 

die! 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  35 

XV. 

"  I  freely  give  myself  a  sacrifice  ! 

Who  next  will  come  ? "    "  Your  son,"  a  youth 

replied, 

And  with  unwonted  glory  beamed  his  eyes. 
"  My  godlike  child  !     Twice,  twice  shall  I 

have  died ! 

But  no  !    I  shall  have  twice  begotten  thee, 
For  thou  art  born  the  child  of  Liberty. 

Thy  years  are  few,  but  full ! "    the  father 

cried, 

"For  virtue's  self  has  reached  her  utmost  goal, 
When  she  has  gained  the  high  perfection  of 
the  soul. 

XVI. 

"  Who  next,  to  die  for  country  will  rejoice  ?  " 
"  Your  kinsman  !  "  was  the  loud,  emphatic 

cry. 

"  Who  next  ?  "     "  Your  kinsman !  "     cried  a 

manlv  voice. 


36  THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 

"  Who  next  ? "    "  Your  kinsman !  "  was  the 
quick  reply. 

One  more  was  claimed  for  sacrifice  complete — 

Loud  cries  —  (as  if  an  echo  did  repeat )  — 
"Were  heard,  and  thousand  voices  rose  on 
high  — 

And  when  from  these   a   choice  by  lot  was 
made, 

The  self-devoted  band  were  all  in  chains  ar 
rayed. 

XYII. 

Barefoot  they  walked  with  ropes  their  necks 

about, 
And  to  SIR  WALTER,  then,  the  keys  they 

gave  ; 
The  gates  were  opened  and  their  friends  came 

out 
Who   wept  their  fate,   and  mourned,   but 

could  not  save. 
Of  those  they  begged  to  take  their  last  farewell; 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  37 

And  0,  such  parting  scene,  what  tongue  can 

tell! 
What  mercy  calm  affliction's  burning  wave  ? 

They  clung  around  —  embraced  —  and  pros 
trate  fell : 

They  groaned  — they  wept  aloud  —  and,  hope 
less,  sighed  farewell ! 

XYIIL 

Throughout  the  English   camp  their  groans 

were  heard, 

And  tidings  came  of  what  in  Calais  passed. 
Deep  sighs  of  pity  followed  every  word, 

And  flowed  their  burning  tears  of  sorrow  fast. 
The  proud,  victorious  band  a  feast  prepared, 
And  gave,  of  which  the  famished  army  shared. 

Of  brave  and  self-devoted  friends,  at  last, 
They  took  their  leave,  and   homeward   sped 

that  day, 

Foes  giving  all  the  food  their  strength  could 
bear  away. 


38  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 


XIX. 

The    brave    ST.    PIERRE    and    fellow-victims 

came  : 

SIR  WALTER  led  them  to  the  vengeful  king. 
From   out  their  tents   came   all  of   English 

name, 
To  praise   the  courage  and  the  love  that 

bring 
The  mental  power  on   death  could   smiling 

gaze, 
seem  elate  to  hear  the  highest  praise, 

fear  to  feel  the  monarch-archer's  sting. 
The  iron  chains  the  doomed  heroes  bore 
Were  nobler  diadems  than  ever  sovereign  wore. 

XX. 

When  they  his  presence  reached,  the  monarch 

spake  : 

"Are  these,  SIR  WALTER,  the  chief  men  of 
Calais  ? 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  39 

And  did  the  people  no  resistance  make  ?  " 
"  Chief  of  the  world !  my  Liege,  not  EDWARD'S 

palace  — 

If  virtuous  acts  ennoble  aught  the  soul  — 
E'er  had  the  man  within  its  proud  control, 
Who  could  like  these  partake  the  poisoned 

chalice. 

They  're  self-devoted — self-delivered — brave  ! 
Who've  nobly  lived   and    proudly  seek  the 

martyr's  grave. 

XXL 

The  king  his  angry  thoughts  full  well  concealed 
When  thus  he  feigned  to  speak  his  quiet 

mind  : 

"  Experience  has  to  me  the  truth  revealed, 
That  mercy  not  with  safety  is  combined. 
While  lenity  to  foes  doth  crimes  invite, 
One  bold  example  strikes  them  with  affright. 
I  would  that  mercy's  prayer  a  place  could 
find 


40  THE    SELF-DEVOTED. 

Within  my  heart ;  then,  "  Live  !  "   should  be 

my  cry  ; 
But  no !     stern  Justice   speaks  :    "  Go,  lead 

these  men  to  die  !  " 

XXII. 

The  whispering  breeze,  that  now  was  floating 

^ 

The    silken    folds    bore    on    its   trembling 

wings 
Of  victory's  banner,  and  the  purple  sky 

Frowned   on  the  haughtiest  of  conquering 

kings. 

Triumph  was  riding  in  his  curtained  car : 
Success  had  led  the  chariot-wheels  of  war, 
And  all  the   joys   that  brilliant   conquest 

brings 
Flushed  the  fair  face  and  fired  the  tranquil 

gaze 

Of  Albion's  Queen,  approaching,  crowned  with 
royal  bays. 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  41 

XXIII. 

Now  sounds  of  triumph  rang  throughout  the 

camp  ; 

PHILLIPPA  came,  and  led  a  gallant  band  ; 
Of  warlike  steeds  was  heard  the  hasty  tramp, 
As  hither  came  the  flower  of  her  proud 

land. 
SIR  WALTER  flew  the  approaching  Queen  to 

meet, 
To  her  the  mournful  story  to  repeat. 

She  sought  her  king  —  she  fell  and  clasped 

his  hands  — 

She  clung  like  tender  vine  upon  the  oak, 
Then  sighed  aloud  —  for  mercy  prayed — and, 
weeping,  spoke  : 

XXIY. 

"  'T  is  not  to  those  who  rear  the  yellow  grain, 
Or  those  but  skilled  in  some  mechanic  art ; 
Nor  those  who  lead  the  flocks  upon  the  plain, 
3* 


4:2  THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 

That  I  would  freedom  give  or  life  impart. 

Think  you,  my  Liege,  your  foes  you've  doomed 
to  death  ? 

Themselves  they've  doomed  with  one  united 

breath. 

Not  love  for  them  alone  has  touched  my 
heart ; 

But    love    for  thee,   my  EDWARD   dear,  my 
king! 

Spare  them  !     I  '11  deck  your  brows  with  ever 
greens  of  spring. 

XXY. 

"  For  if  they  die,  't  is  by  command  thine  own  ; 

]S"or  would  the  royal  word  be  then  obeyed. 
As  you  regard  the  honor  of  your  throne, 

!Now  let  your  will  and  vengeful  arm   be 

stayed. 

Let  not  our  country  feel  disgrace  upon  her  : 
The  stage  of  death,  to  them  's  a  stage  of  honor. 

On  EDWARD'S  name  let  not  a  blot  be  made  ; 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  4:3 

This  act  would  stain  hh  conquests  deep  with 

shame, 
And  give  to  them  the  stamp  of  everlasting  fame ! 

XXVI. 

"  "We  cannot  take  from  them  the  honor  great, 
Which  they  by  death  so  nobly  did  intend  ; 
But  this,  O  help  them  not  to  consummate, 

And  to  our  country's  shame  such  aid  to  lend. 
But  pardon  them,  and  send  with  gifts  away, 
And  this  will  be  a  long  remembered  day  : 

Thereby  defeat  what  ever  will  attend, 
That  those  who  bravely  die  in  virtue's  cause, 
"Will  carry  to  their  graves  the  people's  loud 
applause." 

XXVII. 

"  You  have  prevailed,  and  be  it  so  ; "   replied 
The  king.     "  Now  let  them  be   before  us 

brought, 
As  kinsmen  —  friends  to  us  by  blood  allied  — 


44  THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 

And   quick   dispel  the   sorrows    we    have 
wrought." 

They  came,  and  thus  the  queen  her  speech 
resumed  : 

"  Natives  of  France !  —  by  wasting  grief  con 
sumed  — 
Forgive  my  king  the  ruin  he  has  sought. 

Although  with  us  a  wicked  war  you  've  made, 

"We  see  your  virtues  bright  —  your  errors  in 
the  shade. 

XXVIII. 

"We   snatch   you  from   the    scaffold  —  loose 

your  chains, 

And  bid  you  to  your  friends  and  kindred  go ; 
And  while  to  you  the  gift  of  life  remains, 
Cease  not  to  us  your  gratitude  to  show. 
We're  bound   to   you  with  more   endearing 

ties, 

Since  you  would  die  a  willing  sacrifice. 
Take  ye  the  gifts  that  EDWAED  will  bestow  : 


THE   SELF-DEVOTED.  45 

For  fame,  proud  rivals  ;  but  to  virtue,  friends  ; 
High  honors  shall  await  when  death  your  be 
ing  ends." 

XXIX. 

"  My  God  !    my  blissful  hope  ! "  —  exclaimed 

ST.  PIERRE  ; 

"  Is  this  an  angel  that  before  me  stands  ? 
And  are  the  gates  of  heaven  unfolding  here? — 
Proud  England's  Queen  !  —  I  wait  for  your 

commands. 

But  O,  my  country  !  —  now  I  fear  for  thee  ; 
The  dangers  that  await,  methinks  I  see. 

But  mayst  thou  ever  stand  with  guiltless 

hands ! 

How  bright  to  me  the  truth  this  day  imparts, 
That  EDWARD  conquers  cities,  but  PHILLIPPA, 
hearts." 

XXX. 

Away,  with  light  and  joyous  tread,  they  flew 


46  THE   SELF-DEVOTED. 

To  meet  their  friends,  who  left  them  doomed 

to  die ! 

Soft  every  sound  and  pleasant  every  view 
That  meet  the  wondering  ear  and  weeping 

eye. 
Than  mourning  then,  scarce  now  their  joy  is 

less  : 
They  praise  their  God   and  their   deliverer 

bless. 
They  meet  —  embrace  —  exchange  a  joyous 

sigh; 

For  mercy  sweet  —  blest  attribute  of  heaven  — 
Had  touched  the  conqueror's  heart,  and  they 
were  all  forgiven. 


NOTES. 


Edward  III.  of  England. 
Phillippa,  the  Queen. 

Count  Vienne,  Commander  of  the  fortress  of  Calais. 
Eustace  St.  Pierre,  successor  to  Count  Vienne. 
Sir  Walter  Manney,  the  messenger  sent  by  Edward  to 
offer  terms  of  capitulation. 


THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES. 


©ju  lohs  0f  S(u  f  dus. 


i. 

"LET  there  be  light!" — said  Nature's  King,  God  J»  L 

And  angels  flew  with  instant  wing, 

And  fanned  to  flame  the  burnished  sun, 

And  lit  the  stars,  "  and  it  was  done." 

"  Let  there  be  love ! " —  hath  said  no  voice, 

Yet  every  being  doth  rejoice 

That  sweetest  smiles  and  softest  sighs 

Are  born  of  love's  celestial  eyes. 

Love  is,  and  was  before  was  light, 

And  claims  her  as  his  daughter  bright, 

Father  of  all  that's  pure  above, 

For  He  that  made  the  light  is  love. 


things. 


50  THE   LOVES   OF   THE   LAKES. 


II. 

Not  living  things  alone  do  feel 

The  flame,  for  Nature's  works  reveal 

The  passion  in  the  trees  and  flowers, 

In  light  and  shade,  in  dews  and  showers  ; 

In  sparklings  of  the  little  rill, 

And  features  of  the  laughing  hill  ; 

In  twinklings  of  the  distant  stars, 

And  in  the  smiles  of  crystal  spars, 

That  gem  the  bosom  of  the  earth  ; 

In  every  form  of  matter's  birth, 

In  lake  and  stream,  in  hill  and  plain, 

And  in  the  flowings  of  the  main, 

And  curlings  of  the  fleecy  clouds 

That  deck  the  hills  in  snowy  shrouds  ; 

In  ocean's  waves,  all  sparkling  bright, 

That  woo  to  love  the  queen  of  Night. 


III. 

O  solitude!  where'er  thy  home, 


T  HE   LOVES   OF  THE   LAKES.  51 

There  Nature's  faithful  lovers  come, 
And  breathe  their  passions  in  the  breeze 
That  sighs  among  the  whispering  trees 
And  murmurings  of  the  waterfall ; 
And  echo,  answering  to  the  call 
Of  voices  from  the  gladsome  shade, 
All  tell  of  loves  that  God  hath  made. 

IV. 

There  lived  a  maiden  Yalley,  bright  A  beautiful 

valley. 

In  youthful  beauty,  and  the  light 
That  kindled  up  her  smiling  face, 
And  her  new  robes  of  green,  a  grace 
Had  given  to  win  the  softest  air, 
To  sport  with  curls  of  golden  hair, 
That  careless  o'er  her  bosom  hung, 
And  such  enchanting  beauty  flung 
Around  her  neck,  that  bashful  stood 
The  Clouds  above  the  lofty  wood, 
And  looking  on  her  virgin-form 
Politely  stayed  the  coming  storm. 


her  beauty, 
withhold  the 
storm 


52  THE   LOVES    OF   THE   LAKES. 


The  hills  and 
mountains 
enamo.ed  of 

tains, 


Y. 

Then  op'ed  their  eyes  the  Hills  and  Moun 


And  weeping  from  intense  delight, 
Their  sobs  awoke  the  silver  Fountains 

That  sparkled  on  their  cheeks  like  light. 
They  saw  the  form  that  near  them  lay — 

So  ravishing  her  beauty  seemed, 

Around  her  such  a  glory  gleamed, 
They  thought  she  was  the  queen  of  May. 
They  would  have  fallen  at  her  feet, 
And  bade  the  Zephyr's  voice  repeat 
The  sweetest  sighs  and  songs  of  love 
That  beauty  could  to  passion  move  ; 
But  she,  with  waving  of  her  hand, 
And  eye  uplifting,  bade  them  stand. 

VI. 

A  lofty  MI]        And  while  they  stood,  a  goodly  throng 

serenades  her  *  •> 

birds-  As  ever  wooed  a  beauteous  maid, 


THE   LOVES   OF   THE   LAKES.  53 

A  noble  Hill  beneath  the  shade 
Had  gathered  all  the  birds  of  song 

To  give  his  love  a  serenade  ; 
And  as  the  music  swelled  among 
His  brother  Hills,  they  raised  their  ears, 
And  listened  to  the  charming  sound, 
As  echo  bore  the  notes  around, 
So  sweetly  wild  and  softly  sharp, 
Some  swore  the  Valley  played  the  harp, 
Some  thought  it  "  music  of  the  spheres." 


VII. 

The  Valley  caught  with  willing  ear  t^lSe, 

and  their  nnp« 

The  chastened  song  of  serious  love,  b™ted™mie<ut 

the  music  of 

And  answering  with  a  humble  tear, 

She  turned  her  trusting  eyes  above, 
And  thus  her  young  affections  blessed 

The  loftiest  of  the  lofty  Hills, 
And  he  his  lovely  one  caressed 

"With  music  of  the  murmuring  Rills  ; 


54      THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES. 

Their  mutual  vows  in  silence  breathed, 
Their  brows  with  bridal  chaplets  wreathed  ; 
The  Clouds  that  had  their  secret  kept, 
Retired  behind  the  Hills,  and  wept ; 
As  Hymen  caught  the  youthful  pair, 
In  meshes  of  his  silken  snare, 
The  Sun  cast  in  his  golden  tide  — 
Beheld  the  joining  of  their  hands, 
And  Nature  gave  a  dower  of  lands, 
And  Dews  of  evening  kissed  the  bride. 


VIII. 

brlngbrida!       Bright  Summer  brought  them  smiling  skies 

gifts. 

And  garlands  of  the  sweetest  flowers  ; 

The  Clouds  gave  soft  refreshing  showers 
Pure  as  the  drops  from  angels'  eyes  ; 
Fruits  ripe  and  mellow  Autumn  bore, 
And  sparkling  wines  illumed  their  store  ; 
While  "Winter  lent  them  robes  of  white, 
And  Luna  was  their  lamp  at  night ; 


THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES.      55 

Spring  caused  their  frozen  tears  to  flow, 

Some  were  of  joy,  and  some  of  woe  ; 

Torn  were  their  whitened  robes  away  : 
The  Mountain  rugged  seemed  and  old, 
His  features  rough  with  Winter's  cold  : 
The  Yalley  wore  a  calmer  face 
And  something  of  a  matron  grace 
She  had,  yet  moved  with  strange  emotion, 

While,  resting  on  her  bosom,  lay, 
And  peaceful  as  an  infant  ocean, 

A  sleeping  Lake  of  purest  water  —  AD  infant 

lake  is  born. 

Sweet  pledge  of  love,  their  beauteous  daugh 
ter. 

IX. 

By  mountain  Rivulets  she  was  fed, 
And  gave  the  skies  their  softest  dew; 

The  tears  of  JSTight  for  her  were  shed, 
And  passing  fair  her  beauty  grew ; 

She  loved  the  torrent  and  the  flood  ; 
She  fountains  drank  that  never  failed 


56  THE   LOVES   OF   THE   LAKES. 

And  when  she  grew  to  womanhood, 
Our  lady  was  SUPERIOR  hailed ! 

X. 

"rLuir          Her  fame  beyond  the  Mountains  flew  : 

abroad. 

The  Rivers  learned  her  name,  and  praised, 
And  long  desired  her  form  to  view, 

But  Hills  opposing  barriers  raised. 
Then  like  the  brave  and  valiant  knight 
Who  proves  his  courage  in  the  fight, 
The  rivers  de-      The  Rivers  boldly  war  declared, 

claro  wiir  •> 

hiiis.  And  for  the  conflict  all  prepared  : 

They  summoned  all  the  little  Rills 

To  join  them  in  their  bold  crusade 
Against  the  horde  of  haughty  Hills  ; 

The  Gulfs  to  deepen  they  wrere  bade, 
Till,  with  the  Storms  and  Waterfalls 
Themselves  could  undermine  the  walls. 

XI. 

Piecemeal,  the  battlements  were  worn 
Away,  while  here  a  turret  fell, 


THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES.        57 

There  from  its  bed  a  rock  was  torn  ;  Ive're^T 

and  the  rivers 

The  Waters,  with  a  desperate  swell,  we»uhorth« 

mountains 

O'erleaped  their  empire's  ancient  bound,       tb*tofar£ 

Lady  Supe- 

And  through  the  heights  a  passage  found  ; 
Then  rolling  on,  their  bosoms  bore 
The  wealth  of  all  the  mountain-store, 
The  richest  gems  of  dazzling  sheen, 
And  verdure  of  the  gayest  green, 
And  fruits  perfumed  with  odors  sweet, 
And  laid  them  at  their  mistress'  feet. 

XII. 

At  this  she  seemed  somewhat  confused  :        The  L.dy. 

modesty. 

A  crimson  blush  her  cheek  suffused, 

And  fain  would  she  avoid  their  eyes ; 
But  when  on  her  a  glance  they  threw, 
Her  smiles  gave  back  their  image  true 

"With  deep,  but  unrepenting  sighs. 

They  crowned  her  with  the  wreaths  they 
brought, 

Of  evergreens  unfading  wrought ; 


58  THE   LOVES    OF   THE   LAKES. 

The  rivers         They  swore  she  was  their  life,  their  light. 

pledge  their  J 

love. 

The  source  from  whence  they  gained  their 

might ; 

For  her  they  made  the  Hills  unfold 
Their  precious  stores  of  gems  and  gold, 
And  vainly  sought  their  faith  to  prove : 
Would  she  not  hear  their  tale  of  love? 
She  listened  to  their  wanton  song  ; 
She  listened  oft  and  listened  long  : 
Their  loves  illicit,  virtue  wept. 
While  all  the  earth  deep  mourning  kept. 
That  hour !  of  vice  the  fated  morn, 
Gave  sad  forebodings  of  the  day, 
When,  all  her  honor  swept  away, 
Birth  of  two       TO  her  two  infant  Lakes  were  born. 


XIII. 

nowe  °ut  d?s-      The  youths  grew  up  to  man's  estate, 
Not  greatly  good,  but  nobly  great ; 
And  if  unlike  their  natures  seemed, 


similar. 


THE   LOVES    OF   THE   LAKES.  59 

It  was  not  that  for  worldly  good 
The  manly  virtues  of  the  Flood 
Had  been  by  them  unworthy  deemed. 


XIY. 

One  solitary  grew  and  gay, 

And  to  the  forest  bent  his  way  ; 

Just  like  a  bachelor  he  sung, 

"  I  'm  thirty,  handsome,  rich  and  young  : 

If,  when  I  'm  forty,  fair  to  view, 

And  beautiful  the  maid  shall  be, 
I'll  search  the  world  around,  and  woo 

The  fairest  lady  of  the  Sea." 
His  form  he  decked  with  flowers  around  — 
His  head  with  Green-Bay  laurels  crowned  ; 
Time  came  and  furrowed  deep  his  brow, 

His  whiskers  singed  and  stole  his  hair, 
And  he  is  old  and  altered  now, 

Once  MICHIGAN,  the  young  and  fair. 


60      THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES. 

XV. 

warTioifwas      The  other  grew  a  warrior,  and 

a  virgin  lake. 

For  very  love  of  war's  commotion, 
He  sought  to  conquer  all  the  land, 

And  make  himself  a  mighty  ocean. 
With  courage  fearful  and  sublime, 

Yet  feelings  and  affections  warm, 
He  dared  the  highest  hills  to  climb, 

And  claim  alliance  with  the  Storm. 
As  on  he  rushed,  all  sparkling  bright 
With  foam,  and  crest  of  snowy  white. 
That  told  him  conscious  of  his  might, 

A  modest  maiden  met  his  view, 
All  lovely  in  her  virgin-pride  — 

He  saw  —  he  loved,  and  soon  did  woo 
The  lady  to  become  his  bride. 

XVI. 

£t«rchami          She  was  a  pious  little  dame, 

beauty. 

With  glossy  hair  and  sparkling  eyes, 


THE  LOVES  OF  THE  LAKES.      61 

And  beauty,  though  unknown  to  fame, 

Had  claimed  her  as  her  dearest  prize. 
The  cascades  of  the  shining  streams 

That  leaped  upon  her  bosom,  seemed 
Like  bracelets  on  her  arms,  as  beams 

Of  silver  moonlight  on  them  gleamed  : — 
The  springs,  that  from  the  mountain's  side 

Fell  on  her  brow  so  bright  and  fair, 
Gave  back  her  smiles  with  twinkling  pride, 

Like  diamonds  sparkling  in  her  hair  : 
The  vail  that  fell  around  her  feet, 

Wove  of  the  clouds'  ethereal  part, 
Her  bosom's  quick  elastic  beat 

Betokened  her  the  pure  in  heart. 


XVII. 

The  sun  had  sunk  in  triumph  down, 
As  dies  the  warrior  on  the  field 
Of  glory,  and  a  burnished  shield 
Of  clouds  reflected  back  the  frown 
Of  Night,  who  held  with  silken  ties 


62  THE   LOVES   OF  THE   LAKES. 

vftH^mHde!1"      -^e  crimson  curtains  of  the  skies  ; 

and  Huron 

weds  Lady        "j^g  moon  was  Up?  an(j  ghone  her  light 
Full  brightly  on  the  festal  night ; 
The  guests  assembled  from  the  woods, 
Made  merry  with  the  merry  floods ; 

"  The  hills  were  joyful "  at  the  sight, 
On  tip-toe  stood  the  cloudy  lands, 
And  raised  to  heaven  their  snowy  hands, 

And  bathed  them  in  its  silver  light ; 
"Floods  clapped  their  hands"  with  noisy 
mirth ; 

The  mermaids  rose  and  combed  their  hair ; 
The  hills  gave  many  a  fountain  birth, 

And  birds  with  music  filled  the  air  ; 
The  water-nymphs,  with  strings  of  pearl, 

Appeared  from  every  hallowed  spring  ; 

The  fairies  gathered  in  a  ring, 
And  nimbly  danced  with  dizzy  whirl ; 

So  passed  away  the  joyous  night ; 
So  bright  the  circle  of  the  fair  — 

So  jocund  was  the  nuptial  rite 
When  HURON  wedded  LADY  CLAIR. 


THE   LOVES   OF   THE   LAKES.  C3 


XVIII. 

A  very  honest  life  they  led, 

For  though  they  were  too  proud  to  labor, 
They,  as  it  often  has  been  said, 

Were  never  known  to  cheat  a  neighbor. 
Some  taxes  from  the  country  round 

They  got — from  debt  were  always  free  ; 
For  preaching  never  gave  a  pound, 

But  paid  a  tribute  to  the  sea. 
They  caught  no  colds  when  came  a  thaw, 

And  had  no  notion  of  a  doctor  ; 
And  as  they  never  went  to  law, 

They  knew  not  advocate  or  proctor. 
They  were  not  very  fond  of  schools, 

Yet  had  some  gleamings  bright  of  knowl 
edge, 
Derived  to  them  by  unknown  rules, 

For  sure  they  never  went  to  college. 
They  valued  much  their  mental  health, 
Their  moral  and  their  social  wealth  ; 


64:  THE   LOVES    OF   THE   LAKES. 

Relations  new  had  made  them  rich, 
Or  poor — unknown  exactly  which ; 
The  sun  dissolved  their  robes  of  white, 
Destroyed  their  frozen  charms,  and  bright 
Aurora  led  the  morning  on, 

When  spring  called  forth  their  swollen  tide 
And  they,  with  fond  parental  pride, 
Embraced  a  daughter  and  a  son. 


XIX. 

The  harp  of  EEIE'S  softened  tone 
Gaye  sweetest  milsic  to  the  ear 

When  o'er  its  silver  strings  were  thrown 
The  touches  of  the  lightest  finger, 
And  music  made  the  waters  linger, 
And  give  to  her  a  hallowed  tear ; 
And  vows  of  love  were  vainly  made, 
For  like  a  vestal  she  arrayed 
Herself  in  robes  of  fringed  green, 
And  vowed  to  live  a  "maiden  queen." 


THE    LOVES    OF   THE    LAKES.  65 


XX. 

ONTARIO  struck  a  sterner  lyre  :  onurio  is » 

warrior,  am- 

No  soft  emotions  did  lie  feel,  conqneiV 

But  in  his  bosom  burned  the  fire 

Of  conquest,  and  the  crimson  steel 
Gave  him  a  more  entranced  delight 
Than  looks  of  love  from  "  ladies  bright ; " 
He  would  have  conquered  all  the  land 

And  with  the  ocean  made  alliance, 
But  powers  of  Nature  formed  a  band,  powers  of 

And  met  him  with  a  bold  defiance  :  »*•»••»» 

And  where  Niagara's  voice  doth  raise 
To  heaven  sublimest  songs  of  praise, 
They  set  the  everlasting  rock, 
His  ineffectual  power  to  mock, 
And  on  its  long  enduring  piers, 

Uprising  from  th'  abyss  below, 

They  raised  to  heaven  the  golden  bow, 
A  sign  of  peace  for  countless  years. 
4* 


THERE  is  a  beauty  of  the  outward  form, 
And  of  the  inward  thought.   Nature  hath  bent 
The  rivers  into  gentle  windings  —  sent 
The  trees  in  lofty  columns  up,  and  clothed 
Their  branching  arms  with  strength  ;    their 

fingers  tipped 

"With  leaves,  to  fan  the  cooling  air  that  breathes 
Upon  them  life  and  vigor.     Who  shall  tell 
The  unwritten  thoughts  which  swell  the  soul, 

when  paints 

The  sun  the  glory  of  the  flowers  that  deck 
The  plain  ?    How  drinks  the  eye  the  hues  of 

light 

That  tint  the  bud  and  each  unfolding  leaf 
With  lines  the  pencil  may  not  imitate  ? 


68  MORAL     BEAUTY. 

All  beautiful  are  these  ;  and  beautiful 
And  fair  are  all  the  forms  that  God  hath  made. 
But  fairest  of  the  forms  of  earth  are  those, 
The  beings  made  the  image  of  himself. 
Man's  beauty  is  not  of  external  form 
Alone  ;  for  God  himself  no  outward  shape 
Hath  taken.    But  the  soul,  th'  immortal  part, 
The  sparkling  of  divinity  within, 
According  as  its  aspirations  are 
For  high  and  holy  things,  or  base  and  low, 
Gives  him  a  nobler  or  a  meaner  look. 
His  outward  acts  affect  his  inward  thoughts  ; 
For,  as  a  sainted  bard  hath  truly  sung  : 
"  Even  from  the  body's  purity,  the  mind 
Receives  a  secret,  sympathetic  aid." 

Does  moral  beauty,  then,  the  fairer  make 
The  personal  ?    The  smile  of  woman  is, 
Than  man's  more  bright,  and  purer  in  her  love. 
"Who   asks  the   cause?    She  was  not  found 
among 


MORAL     BEAUTY.  69 

The  crowd  that  scourged  and  crowned  with 

thorns  the  Son 

Of  man.     She  followed  Jesus  as  her  Lord, 
And  poured  the  precious  ointment  on  his  head  ; 
His  feet  perfumed  with  holy  oil,  and  wiped 
Them   with   her  hair.     For  this  was  woman 

blessed. 

Jesus  raised  from  the  dead  the  widow's  son  ; 
And  Martha  blessed  him  that  he  called  to  life 
Her  brother.     She  that  touched  his  garment's 

hem 
Was  healed.     And  when  the  dews  of  evening 

fell, 

The  latest  eye  that  gazed  upon  the  cross 
Where  died   the  world's   Redeemer,  and  the 

first, 
"When  morning  light  appeared,  that  saw  his 

grave, 
Was   woman's.     She,  with  balm  and   spices, 

sought 
Him  at  the  tomb,  and  wept  her  Saviour's  death. 


70  MOBAL   BEAUTY. 

This  is  the  history  of  woman's  love 
And  beauty.    She  has  ever  been  the  hope 
Of  the  afflicted,  and  distress  looks  not 
In  vain  to  her  for  help.     She  has  been  found 
The  minister  of  comfort  and  of  peace. 
That  she  may  ever  bless  the  world  with  love, 
Shall  be  the  hope  of  him,  whose  trust  in  her 
The  inspiration  gave  that  woke  these  thoughts. 


"  See  to  your  book  : let  it  be 

An  index  to  your  life  —  each  page  be  pure  , 
By  vanity  unclouded,  and  by  vice 
Unspotted.     Cheerful  be  each  modest  leaf, 
Not  rude ;  and  pious  be  each  written  page. 
Without  hypocrisy,  be  it  devout  : 
Without  moroseness,  be  it  serious ; 
If  sportive,  innocent ;  and  if  a  tear 
Blot  its  whole  margin,  let  it  drop  for  those 
Whose  wickedness  needs  pity  more  than  hate. 
Hate  no  one  —  hate  their  vices,  not  themselves. 
Spare  many  leaves  for  charity  —  that  flower, 
That,  better  than  the  rose's  first  white  bud, 
Becomes  a  woman's  bosom.    There  we  seek, 
And  there  we  find  it  first.    Such  be  your  book, 

And  such always  may  you  be." 

BRAISABD. 


LIFE  is  a  book  of  many  pages — writ 
In  characters  that  shall  endure  :  and  they 
"Who  trace  upon  its  leaves  of  purest  white, 
Signs  visible  to  human  eyes,  should  keep 
The  record  free  from  stain  or  blot,  nor  let 
A  passage  there  be  found,  that  is  not  well 
Approved  of  conscience  and  the  laws  of  truth. 
But  lines  there  may  be,  far  too  faint  for  sight 


72  A  BOOK. 

Of  men,  by  wisdom  or  by  folly  traced  ; 
For  all  the  nicer  shades  of  sentiment, 
Of  thought  and  feeling  —  fears  of  coming  ill, 
Or  hopes  of  future  good  —  are  written  plain. 
And,  though  invisible  to  human  eyes, 
Are  legible  to  the  all-seeing  One. 

A  Book !  — It  is  a  name  of  doubtful  import. 
It  may  be  good,  or  bad  ;  or  mixed  of  both, 
And  party-colored  as  the  rainbow's  hues. 
O  that  its  sacred  name  were  not  abused, 
Nor  darkened  chapters  in  it  found  ;  but  like 
The  elements  combined,  of  that  bright  bow 
Of  promise,  it  were  ever  pure  and  light. 
Though  its  exterior  form  be  fair,  and  bright 
The  symbols  that  convey  its  inward  thoughts, 
And  though  its  index  point  to  highest  themes, 
And  golden  letters  print  its  title-page, 
Composed  of  vanity  may  be  the  tale 
It  tells,  and  spotted  vice  may  mar  its  leaves  ; 
For  e'en  the  silken  folds  that  dress  it  up 


A   BOOK.  73 

Irs  beauty,  may  a  wicked  word  or  thought 
Conceal.     Whether  in  high  or  humble  strains 
It  speak,  let  it  be  pure.     For  greatest  minds 
Are  worst,  if  virtue  finds  not  in  them  friends. 
But  intellects  obscure  shall  be  approved 
Of  heaven,  and  honored  be  the  page  that 

breathes, 
Though  rudely  wrought   its   outer  garments 

are, 

Of  virtue,  truth,  fidelity  and  love. 
Whatever  tales  the  book  of  human  life 
May  tell,  let  cheerful  piety  breathe  through 
Them  all,  and  smiles  of  holy  joy  illume 
What  else  were  dark  and  of  a  gloomy  shade. 
With  innocence  let  sweet  amusement  flow, 
And  modest  worth  preside  o'er  every  line. 

Who  that  would  always  wish  for  sunny  skies  ? 
Or  who,  enjoying  them,  would  ever  know 
The  beauty  of  the  rain-drop's  crystal  smile? 
Pure  is  the  look  of  light  in  summer's  noon  ; 


74  A  BOOK. 

But  purer  is  the  dew-drop's  morning  face, 
And  purer  still,  and  holier  far,  the  tear 
That  falls,  if  sweet  affection  bids  it  flow. 
Let  Pity  claim  a  kindred  drop  from  those 
"Whose  deep  emotions  swell  the  fount  of  love. 

If  in  that  volume  there  are  pages,  more 
Than   others    bright,  go   read   their   contents 

through, 

And  of  the  social  feelings  speak  the  praise. 
The  air  they  breathe,  with  sympathy  is  sweet ; 
They  go  with  Charity  to  light  the  hearth 
Where  rises,  night    and    morn,  the  widow's 

prayer ; 

The  child  of  want  they  never  can  forget  — 
The  homeless  daughter,  or  the  orphan  boy. 

Where  burn  these  feelings  brightest?    He 

that  knows 

The  depth  of  woman's  love,  can  answer  this. 
And  when  does  she,  of  those  deep  feelings,  show 


A  BOOK.  75 

The  loveliest,  purest,  best  ?  'T  is  when  she  gives 
Her  heart  to  be  another's,  trusting  all 
To  him  that  finds  in  her  his  highest  joy. 
As  when,  with  her  baptismal  vow,  she  gave 
Her  soul  to  heaven,  she  gives  her  love  to  him, 
"With  high  and  holy  trust  that  shall  not  fail. 
Help  him,  angels  of  love,  the  precious  boon 
To  keep,  and  make  him  worthy  of  the  gift. 
Their  mutual  faith,  may  virtue's  power  protect^ 
And  Hope  to  happiness  shall  lead  the  way  : 
And  Truth  shall  write  the  story  of  their  joys, 
And  it  shall  be  the  Book  of  Human  Life. 

Another  Book  there  is,  "  The  Book  of  books;" 
A  Book  to  Virtue's  friends  forever  dear, 
And  dearest  when  the  pledge  aifection  gives. 
Let  it  an  index  be  to  point  the  way 
To  the  bright  pages  of  the  "  Book  of  Life," 
And  its  sublime  and  holy  teachings  prove 
A  guide  and  monitor  to  make  this  life 
A  preparation  for  the  Life  to  come. 


Pro  Aris  et  Focis. — CICEEO. 

DEEP  in  the  solitude 
Of  the  darkened  wood, 
"Where  never  hut  had  stood, 

With  hammer  alone, 
Fast  by  a  ledge  of  rocks, 
A  man  of  youthful  locks, 
With  oft  repeated  knocks, 

Had  shaped  a  hearth-stone. 

With  trunks  of  trees,  he  there, 
In  rudely  measured  square, 
Built  up  a  cottage  where 

She  he  loved  would  come  : 
With  lusty  arm  and  lone, 


THE   HEARTH-STONE. 

He  raised  and  bore  the  stone, 
While  Hope  alone  looked  on, 
To  his  rustic  home. 

Years  have  passed  away  ; 
'T  is  a  bright  morn  in  May ; 
Children  are  at  play  — 

A  daughter  and  son. 
A  happy  home  is  there, 
And  the  bright  altar,  where 
Uprise  both  praise  and  prayer, 

Is  the  old  hearth-stone. 

Day  swiftly  follows  day  ; 
The  world  calls  them  away  — 
Those  children  at  their  play — 

Sister  and  brother. 
Far,  far  away  they  roam, 
But  back  to  blessings  come, 
To  happy  hearth  and  home, 

For  father,  mother. 


THE   HEAKTH-STONE.  79 

Another  year  has  fled, 
And  one  of  these  is  dead  ; 
For  him  a  prayer  is  said, 

Each  day  returning  : 
The  other,  aged  grown, 
With  widowed  heart,  alone, 
Upon  the  old  hearth-stone 

Keeps  love's  light  burning. 

And  there,  by  day  or  night, 
That  flame  of  holiest  light 
She  watcheth  sweetly  bright, 

And  will  not  falter  ; 
O  God  !  such  love  that  gave, 
"When  she  is  in  the  grave, 
That  ancient  hearth-stone  save ! 

It  is  thine  Altar. 


ADDRESS 

at  ik  0pening  0f  tire  §ttffaI0  f heater, 

JUNE  22,  1835. 


HAIL  to  thee,  City ! — the  home  of  the  free ! 
Come  thou,  the  child  of  the  Drama  to 

greet, 

Hail  to  thy  children  as  well  as  to  thee ! — 
The  child  of  the  Drama,  they  joyous  shall 
meet. 

Ye,  who  have  listened  to  the  son  of  song, 
While  oft  with  angel-touch  he  swept  the 

lyre ; 

Ye,  who  of  music  would  the  notes  prolong, 
5 


82  AD  UK  ESS. 

Or  feel  the  flame  that  Genius  may  inspire  ; 
Ye,  who  would  praise  the  arts  divine,  that 

make 

The  lifeless  marble  into  being  wake, 
And  to  the  canvas  rude,  the  hues  impart, 
That  bid  to  life  the  form  of  beauty  start  — • 
Let  nobler  sentiments  your  minds  engage  — 
Salute  ye  now  the  Genius  of  the  Stage ! 
The  Drama   comes,  we  trust,   a  welcome 

guest, 
And  owns  your  home  the  Mistress  of  the 

"West. 

Alive  to  finer  feelings  of  the  soul, 
Let  Genius  now  your  willing  hearts  control. 
And  here  may  virtue's  purest  spirit  breathe 
On  him  whose  brow  the  laurels  love  to 

wreathe. 

Let  sympathy,  with  sweet  amusement  flow, 
To  cheer,  with  blissful   hopes,  the  heirs  of 

woe. 
Let  Charity,  the  child  of  heaven,  descend  - 


ADDRESS.  83 

In  .him  she'll  find  a  brother  and  a  friend. 
The  orphan's  grief  he  soothes  with  accents 

mild, 
While  yet  he  owns  himself  a  joyless  child. 

O'er  all  the  world   is  Genius   doomed    to 

roam  — 

With  thee,  fair  City,  may  he  find  a  home. 
He  chose  thee,  from  the  little  and  the  great, 
The  fairest  daughter  of  the  "  Empire  State." 
Though  here  no  gods  of  Love  or  Hymen 

dwell, 
Of  which  the  Bard's  impassioned  verse  may 

tell, 

Yet  here,  a  lofty  Spirit  hath  appeared, 
Whose  mighty  genius  bright  improvements 

reared, 

And  bade  a  sterner  love  its  fires  awake, 
When  Neptune  wooed  the  "  Lady  of  the 

Lake." 
Full    many  a  generous   heart,  hath   cradled 

Erie's  wave  ; 


84  ADDRESS. 

Full  many  an  honored  tomb,  hath  given  to 
the  brave ! 

Ko  higher  praise  is  due  to  England's  fame  — 
]STo   brighter   honors    crown    her   Xelson's 

name, 
Than   were   bestowed    upon   our   country's 

powers, 
When  Perry  met  the  foe  and  made  them 

"ours!" 

May  thus  a  poet  rise,  of  envied  name, 
And  emulate  the  Bard  of  Avon's  fame. 
Then  may  he  sing  the  glories  of  the  mighty 

slain ! 
Of  those  who  lie  entombed  on  Chipp'wa's 

battle-field  ; 
And  those  who,  fighting,  died,  while  notes 

of  thunder  pealed 
Their  funeral  dirge  at  Queen ston  Heights  and 

Lundy's  Lane ! 


ADDKESS.  85 

Know  ye,  of  old  the  morning  stars  together 

sung  ? 
Heard  ye  the  wildly  rapturous  music  of  the 

spheres  ? 
Then  listen  to  the  notes  that  Bwell  through 

endless  years, 
Like  gravest  sounds  harmonious  lisped  from 

angel's  tongue ! 
Thy  voice,  O  great  Niagara,  hatli  such  music 

made  : 
Thy  solemn  tones  remain  unaltered  yet  by 

time  ; 
Then  roll  tliou  on,  in  might  and  majesty 

sublime  — 
For  Nature  loves  thy  everlasting  serenade  ! 

These  are  the  themes   to  swell  the  poet's 

song  — 

These  to  the  Drama  and  the  Muse  belong. 
When  they,  shall  bid  the  slumbering  mind 

v  O 

awake, 


86  ADDKKSS. 

Then,   every  valley,  mountain,   wood    and 

lake, 

Arrayed  in  foliage  dark,  or  living  green, 
Shall  start  to  life,  and  animate  the  scene. 
Then  Nature,  with  her  splendid  panorama, 
Will  lend  her  thousand  charms  to  grace  the 

O 

Drama ! 


THE  HERO  OF  THE  PLAGUE. 


ra  0f  i\)t  Ulagttt. 


I. 

AWAKE,  ye  finer  feelings  of  the  soul ! 

Love,  friendship,  hope,  and  soft  affection, 

wake! 
Arise,  ye  finer  passions  that  control 

The  hardened  hearts  yourselves  alone  can 

make  : 

Come,  then,  the  maniac's  look  of  wild  despair, 
And  madman  with  the  form  that  demons  wear  ; 
Come,  misanthropic  foes,  and  strive  to  break 
The  tender  ties  of  Nature's  love,  that  bind 
The  father  to  his  child,  with  cords  by  heaven 
desined. 


90  THE    HERO    OF   THE    PLAGUE. 

II. 

Let  cowardice,  with  fainting  heart,  appear, 
And  strive  to  fright  the  hero-band  away  ; 
And  let  the  traitor,  moved  by  slavish  fear, 

Give  up  his  country's  rights,  to  foes  a  prey. 
Let  then  approach  wild  Famine's  meager  form, 
"While  gathering  clouds  and  pestilence  and 

storm, 
With  frightful  shade   obscure  the  face  of 

day: 

Can  all  combined  dry  up  affliction's  tear, 
Or  check  the  sighs  that  fall  from  Pity's  soul 
sincere  ? 

III. 

What  though  perverted  friendship  put  on  hate, 
And  purest  flame  of  love  to  loathing  turn, 

While  Fancy's  brightest  visions  all  create 
The  deepest  woes  that  unconsuming  burn 

Within  the  secret  chambers  of  the  mind, 


-THE   HERO   OF   THE   PLAGUE.  91 

Like  wasting  fires  in  caves  of  earth  confined  ; 
Yet  Friendship,  Love,  and  heavenly  Hope 

return, 

And  all  unite  with  softest  hand  to  raise 
The  sinking  soul,  nor  claim  the  empty  meed 

of  praise. 

IV. 

Ask  ye  where  such  example  can  be  found  ? 

'T  is  in  a  land  upon  whose  desert  plain 
"What  time  were  heard  the  melancholy  sound 

Of  woe,  and  cries  of  life-dissolving  pain, 
A  proud  and  heaven-defying  city  stood  ; 
Where  high  and  low  —  the  evil  and  the  good, 

Alike  in  desolation  did  remain  ; 
On  all  deep  lines  of  terror  were  portrayed  : 
All  mourned  alike  the  ravages  the  plague  had 
made. 

Y. 

With  respiration  quick  and  glaring  sight, 


92  THE    HERO    OF   THE    PLAGUE. 

With  creeping   chills   and   fever's   burning 

heat, 
And   thirst,  and   sickened   heart,  the  man  of 

might 
Was  seized,  and   throbbed   his   brain  with 

maddened  beat  : 
With  weakened    body   and   more  weakened 

mind, 
To  fear  and  dark  despair  himself  resigned, 

A  welcome  grave  he  laid  him  down  to  meet. 
When  dead,  his  tainted  clothes  the  living  wore, 
Which    other    men    would    wear  when   they 
should  be  no  more. 

VI 

The    child    from    father  —  mother  —  loathing 
turned, 

While  parents  left  their  little  ones  to  die. 
With  gratitude  their  hearts  no  longer  burned, 

And  sundered  quite  was  every  social  tie. 
No  word  of  sympathetic  feeling  spoken  — 


THE    HEKO    OF    THE    PLAGUE.  93 

Each  felt  affection's  strongest  bond   was  bro 
ken — 

The  dying  groan  was  heard  and  mournful 
sigh: 

None  thought  to  leave  the  couch  whereon  he 
lay, 

Nor  hoped  to  view  the  brightness  of  the  com 
ing  day. 

YII. 

Pale  cowardice  heard  not  th'  indignant  tone 

Of  censure,  and  no  generous  feeling  knew  ; 
The  city  had  a  lonely  desert  grown, 

In  every  street  the  grass  unwonted  grew. 
Of  every  trade  and  art,  was  hushed  the  sound, 
All  action   died,  and   stillness   reigned    pro 
found. 

One  thing  alone  disturbed  th'  unchanging- 
view  : 

It  was  a  sight  more  gloomy  far  than  all  — 
At  every  turn  the  eye  beheld  a  fun'ral  pall ! 


94  THE   HEEO    OF   THE   PLAGUE. 


VIII. 

But  great  as  were  the  labors  of  the  bier, 

They  were  unequal  to  the  works  of  death. 
So  vast  his  conquests,  cowards  ceased  to  fear  : 
To   all  —  the  timid   and    the    brave  —  the 

breath 

Of  pestilence  its  rank  infection  brought, 
And  ignorance  and  superstition  thought 

It  was  the  curse  of  God  :  —  so  little  faith 
Had  they  in  him  —  so  little  hope  of  heaven, 
That  many  died  without  one  prayer  to  be  for 
given. 

IX. 

To   save    from  death,  no   sign   of   hope   ap 
peared  : 

In  grave  assemblage  the  physicians  came, 
And  consultation  held.     Each  one  revered 
The  thoughts  that  fell  from  him  of  humblest 
name  : 


THE    HEKO    OF   THE   PLAGUE.  95 

They  paused  and  long  deliberation  gave, 

To  save  their  friends  and   kindred   from  the 

grave ! 

There  was  the  prize  of  everlasting  fame, 
For  him  to  gain  whose  soul  was  soaring  high  : 
It  was  the  glorious  prize  of  immortality  ! 

X. 

The  plague  mysterious  character  possessed  : — 
Its  cure,  't  was  hoped,  dissection  might  dis 
close. 
But  who  that  work  of  danger  could  divest  ? 

The  operator  soon  his  life  must  close. 
'T  were  all  in  vain  for  him  to  hope  to  live, 
Since  no  physician  could  an  opiate  give. 
Deep  silence   came   from   which   no   voice 

arose ; 

And  many,  but  for  friends,  had  on  that  day, 
A  passport  sought   to   guide   them   on   their 
heavenly  way. 


90  THE    HERO   OF    THE    PLAGUE. 


XL 

"But  one  of  manly  beauty  rose  and  said  : 
"  Can  I  relieve  the  dying  ?  —  Be  it  so  ! 
Let  me  be  numbered  with  the  glorious  dead  : 

What  I  discover  let  my  country  know. 
Here  by  religion's  sacred  name  I  swear  — 
By  all  that 's  dear  to  me  in  life  declare, 

That   ere  to-morrow's   sun   his   light   shall 

show, 

I  will  dissect  a  corpse  with  careful  hand, 
And  if  I  perish,  't  is  not  mine,  but  God's  com 
mand  ! " 

XII. 

The  hero  forth  from  the  assembly  new. 

His  fate  they  all  lamented  and  admired, 
But  none  his  unabated  courage  knew. 

They  heard  him  speak  by  God's  own  love 

inspired  ; 
They  praised  his  look  and  eloquence  divine, 


THE   HEEO   OF   THE   PLAGUE.  97 

But  doubted  still  his  great  and  «;ood  design. 

CD  O  O 

He  spoke,  and  from  their  presence  quick  re 
tired  : 

Amazed,  they  thought  they  had  a  vision  seen — 
The  majesty  of  God,  or  Angel's  form  serene. 


XIII. 
Exalted  by  religion's  truths  sublime, 

By  fire  of  patriot's  love  that  bright'ning 

beamed, 

By  heaven  and  earth  —  eternity  and  time ! 
The  faith  he  thus  had  pledged,  he  thus  re 
deemed. 

In  reputation  now  exalted  high, 
With  riches  blessed  that  care  and  want  defy, 
To  her  allied  that  like  an  anscel  seemed, 

O  ' 

And  nattered  with  the  pomp  of  earthly  pride, 
He  lived,  while  hopes  of  country  and  of  kin 
dred  died. 


98  THE    HERO    OF   THE    PLAGUE. 


XIY. 

To  him  that  night  was  full  of  heavenly  rest  ; 

ISTo  earthly  cares  his  holy  thoughts  opposed. 
The  sacrament  he  took  —  his  sins  confessed, 

When  his  nnburthened  soul  itself  disclosed 
Profuse  of  bliss  and  radiant  of  love, 
While  charity  from  her  bright  home  above, 

Came  down  and  in  his  joyous  heart  reposed. 
Then  seemed  to  ope  of  heaven  the  portals  wide: 
His  soul  to  drink  of  bliss  the  boundless  ocean 
tide ! 

XY. 

The  shades  of  night  retired.     The  hour  had 
come  ; 

Within  his  house  there  had  a  victim  died. 
The  pestilence  had  met  him  at  his  home, 

As  if  it  heard,  and  to  his  vow  replied. 
He  shut  himself  within  the  fated  room, 
Full  well  prepared  to  meet  his  certain  doom. 


THE    HERO    OF   THE    PLAGUE.  99 

He  knelt  before  the  crucifix  and  cried  : 
"  O  God  !  —  in  this  deep  solitude  retired  — 
Thou  wilt  the  action  bless,  thou  hast  thyself 
inspired." 

XVI. 

"  Lone  tenement  of  an  immortal  soul ! "  — 
Continued  he  —  "  since  I  on  thee  can  gaze 

Without  alarm,  teach  me  the  plague's  control, 
And  I  will  bless  of  God  the  secret  ways. 

Man's  known  for  good  or  evil  when  he  dies  ; 

My  life,  O  God  !  shall  be  thy  sacrifice  : 

My  trembling  tongue  shall  ever    sing  thy 
praise, 

While  thou,  I  trust,  to  me  the  cause  wilt  show, 

That  fills  our  homes  with  bitterest  dregs  of 
human  woe." 

XVII. 

All  fearless,  he  the  operation  closed. 
And  manv  curious  observations  made. 


100  THE    11EBO    OF    THE    PLAGUE. 

lie  knew  the  confidence  in  him  reposed, 

And  every  view  his  pious  work  displayed, 
With  scrutinizing  care  he  quickly  penned, 
And  was  prepared  to  meet  his  glorious  end. 
He  sought  the  Lazaretto's  dismal  shade  : 
But  few  short  hours  to   him  on  earth  were 

given  : 

Where  is  the  hero  now  ?     Go  ask  of  God  in 
heaven ! 

XYIII. 
Thus,  when   his   hold   on  earthly  things  was 

strong  : 

Himself  to  one  by  deep  attachments  bound — 
A  dear  companion,  whom  fictitious  song 
In  vain  might  strive  to  praise  —  whose  voice 

the  sound 

Of  naught  could  imitate  than  angel's  lyre, 
Whose  eye  beamed  bright  with  love's  celestial 

fire  : 
Himself  high  honored  bv  the  world  around. 

O  *< 


THE  HERO  OF  THE  PLAGUE.      101 

And  building  fame  so  eminent  and  high  — 
Naught  less  than  heavenly  bliss  his   hopes 
could  satisfy. 

XIX. 

Of  love,  full  deep  inwoven  with  his  soul, 
The  tender  cords  had  bound  him  strong  to 

earth, 

And  though  submissive  to  the  world's  control, 
By  those  beloved  to  him  that  owed  their 

birth, 

By  those  to  him  that  gave  his  highest  joy  — 
His  angel-daughter  and  his  cherub-boy, 

And  smiling  infant,  not  of  lesser  worth : 
On  all  he  gazed  with  sadly  pleasing  smile, 
Then  turned  away,  for  God's  approval  cheered 
the  while. 

XX. 

His  end  was  nobler  and  more  glorious  far, 
Than  his  who  dies  upon  the  battle-field. 


102     THE  HERO  OF  THE  PLAGUE. 


all  the  princely  pomp  and  pride  of  war, 
In  death  can  such  triumphant  glories  yield. 
The  soldier  rushes  on  with  hope  sustained, 
That  he  '11  be  honored  and  the  victory  gained. 
To  one  is  death  and  heaven  alone  revealed  : 
The  other  seeks  to  gain  an  earthly  prize, 
And  shouts  of  fame  and  victory  cheer  him 
when  he  dies. 


XXL 

But  mid  the  dead,  and  dying  leprous  forms, 
When  naught  but  terrors  of  the  grave  ap 
peared, 

And  when  no  light  of  hope  the  bosom  warms, 
THE  HEEO  OF  THE  PLAGUE,  expiring,  cheered 

His  sad  companions  on  their  dreary  way, 

And  led  their  fainting  souls  to  heaven  away. 
His   courage  praised  —  his   counsel  all  re 
vered, 

And  when  away  they  saw  his  spirit  fly, 


THE    IIEKO    OF    THE    PLAGUE.  103 

They  thought  they  heard  him  say  :    "  It  is  not       * 
hard  to  die."* 

XXII. 

To  matter  as  superior  is  the  mind, 

As  heavenly  scenes  are  higer  than  the  earth, 

So  all  within  the  view  of  man  confined, 
Inferior  is  to  God  that  gave  it  birth. 

How  great  is  he  who  would  for  country  fall  ! 

But  greater  far  and  more  admired  than  all 
The  gods  of  war,  is  that  physician's  worth, 

Who  those  would  save  by  dire  diseases  tossed  ; 

But  dies  and  is  of  bliss  in  boundless  ocean 
lost! 

•Vide  Class.   Die.  Art.  Pactus. 


>0ng  0f  tire  (Solflcn  f  gr*. 


DEDICATED  TO  THE  GKEAT  AKMY  OF  CALIFORNIA  EMIOP.AXTS. 


I    LIE    NOT." 


IN  those  ages  bright  but  olden, 
Called  by  ancient  poets  golden, 

By  Apollo,  I  was  made  ; 
Gold  my  frame,  and  brightly  burnished, 
Golden  sinews  to  me  furnished, 

And  with  diamonds  all  inlaid. 

Sung  I  once  of  fields  all  gory, 
By  the  warrior's  deeds  of  glory, 

Sung  I  requiems  of  the  dead. 
When  in  streams  of  blood  were  lying 
Men  of  might,  with  faintness  dying, 

Mocked  I  then  the  prayers  they  said. 
C 


106    SONG  OF  THE  GOLDEN  LYRE. 

Led  by  lust  of  gold  to  battle, 
Soldiers  heard  the  fearful  rattle 

*'  Arms,  on  armor  clashing,"  made  ; 
Pressed  they  with  their  bloody  fingers 
On  my  golden  chords,  where  lingers 

Still  the  golden  strains  I  played. 

Brigand,  that,  on  lonely  mountain. 
Pierced  of  life  the  crimson  fountain, 

Learned  from  me  the  golden  strain  ; 
Pirate,  o'er  the  ocean  sailing, 
Heard,  unmoved,  the  voice  of  wailing, 

Drowned  by  songs  of  golden  gain. 

Miser,  filling  golden  coffers, 
Avarice,  courting  fortune's  offers, 

Tried  the  golden  notes  to  swell ; 
Seeking  ever  golden  fountains, 
On  the  desert  plains  and  mountains, 

For  they  loved  my  music  well. 


SONG   OF   THE   GOLDEN   LYRE.  107 

Merchants,  that,  to  Afric's  region, 
"Went  to  bring  the  blackened  legion, 

Touched  with  hardened  hand  my  strings  ; 
Though  I  knew  the  monsters  human 
Sold  their  fellow-man  and  woman, 

Sung  I  still  of  golden  things. 

Priests,  that,  for  the  soul's  pollution, 
Sold  to  sinners  absolution, 

Bid  me  strike  for  them  a  song  ; 
Thus,  once  more  in  ages  olden, 
I,  with  heart  and  sinews  golden, 

Did  the  golden  notes  prolong. 

Lover,  he  that  sought  a  maiden, 
One  with  golden  beauty  laden, 

Listened  to  my  golden  voice  : — 
Maiden,  she  that  heard  him  lisp  her 
Name  with  many  a  golden  whisper, 

Did  the  golden  song  rejoice. 


108  SONG   OF   THE   GOLDEN    LYEE. 

Man  of  worth  and  man  of  feeling, 
Christian  at  the  altar  kneeling, 

Glittering  tales  to  them  were  told  : 

Wealth,  not  worth,  the  greatest  treasure, 

Riches  are  the  rich  man's  pleasure  ; 
Poor  is  he  that  hath  not  gold. 

By  the  brink  of  turbid  rivers, 
Gathering  gold,  and  chills,  and  fevers, 

And  along  the  rock-bound  coast, 
See  the  golden  pilgrims  standing, 
ISTone  departing,  thousands  landing; 

Swelling  is  the  golden  host. 

Loaded  are  they  all  with  treasure ; 
Gold,  gold,  without  weight  or  measure  ; 

Begging  for  a  bit  of  bread  ; 
Ragged  is  their  rusty  clothing, 
Love  of  gold  is  turned  to  loathing  — 

Vultures  waiting  for  the  dead. 


SONG    OF    THE    QOLDEX    LYRE.  109 

Hunger  hath  his  work  been  doing, 
Fortune's  smile  's  not  worth  the  wooing, 

At  such  cruel,  countless  cost ; 
Golden  strains  unworthy  singing  ; 
Golden  harps  not  worth  the  stringing  ; 

Music,  labor,  life  are  lost. 

Old  I  am  —  my  voice  is  wasting  — 
To  decay  my  form  is  hasting, 

And  the  songs  of  old  I  sung, 
"Would  I  now  be  never  singing, 
For  a  voice  is  in  me  ringing, 

Such  as  falls  from  angel's  tongue. 

Truth,  forever  bright  and  solemn, 
Anthems,  from  the  holy  volume, 

Strains  I  never  sung  before  — 
Songs  that  seraphs  sing  in  Heaven 
To  my  chords  shall  now  be  given, 

Swelling,  ringing,  evermore ! 


O  BEAUTIFUL  and  softly  flowing  river, 
The  gentlest  of  the  torrent's  daughters, 

Departed  hath  the  forest-child  forever, 
From  the  green  margin  of  thy  waters. 

Thy  banks  of  beauty  once  were  clothed  with 

wildness  ; 

Of  feeling,  then,  there  was  no  coldness  ; 
The  bravest  heart  was  tempered  well  with 

mildness, — 
The  weakest  one  full  high  with  boldness. 

No  barge,  with  whitened  sail,  the  lake  was 
sweeping ; 

*  The  Indian  name  for  "  nig  Buffalo  Creek,"  which  empties  into  Lake 
Erie  at  Buffalo.  See  treaty  between  the  United  States  and  the  Six  Na 
tions,  made  in  1781. 


112  TEHOSEKORON. 

All  round  the  shore  the  shades  were  waving ; 
The  waters,  now,  within  were  sweetly  sleeping, 
And  now  the  banks  were  softly  laving. 

The  red  man  there  his  bark  canoe  was  rowing, 
And  woman  little  ones  caressing  ; 

All  beauteous  flowers  in  wild  luxuriance  grow 
ing  ; 
Great  Spirit !  thou  didst  give  the  blessing. 

And  when  the  warrior,  from  the  chase  retura- 

in& 
Beheld  his  children's  smiling  brightness, 

And  holy  love  on  fireside  altars  burning, 
His  bosom  swelled  with  buoyant  lightness. 

Here  breathed  the  poetry  of  love's  devotion, 
And  burst  the  laugh  of  bounding  gladness  ; 

The  spirit  struggled  here  with  deep  emotion, 
When  dimmed  its  light  a  shade  of  sadness. 


TEHOSERORON.  113 

And  when  he  felt  the  frost  of  age  advancing, 
The  chieftain  told  his  thrilling  story 

To  fearless  children  round  the  war -fire  dancing, 
Of  deeds  that  built  the  hero's  glory. 

"When  bound  him  Death,  within  his  soothing 

slumbers, 

His  tomb  unmarked  by  stone  or  willow, 
Sung  then  his  funeral  dirge  the  wind's  wild 

numbers, 
The  moss-grown  rock  his  dying  pillow. 

Now  perished  hath  his  bright,  ethereal  vision  ; 

The  red  man's  glory  hath  departed  : 
Great  Spirit !  grant  a  sweet  Elysium 

To  beings  here  but  broken-hearted. 

'Mid  blooming  vales  and  gently  rising  moun 
tains, 
With  ivory  bow  and  golden  quiver, 


TEIIOSEKORON. 

Give  them,  O  Heaven,  to   drink   at   crystal 

fountains, 
And  hunt  along  the  rolling  river. 

The  arrow's  point  with  string  elastic  throwing, 
Give  them  to  guide  with  aim  unbending  ; 

O  happiness,  in  peaceful  streamlets  flowing, 
Grant  them  the  bliss  of  life  unending. 


0f 


'TwAs  morning  ;  but,  ere  yet  the  radiant  sun 

Had  risen,  to  shed  his  lustre  o'er  the  world, 
"While  scarce  the  moon  her  nightly  course  had 

run, 

Or  sullen  darkness  from  her  throne  was  hurled, 
I,  musing,  stood  upon  the  joyous  shore, 
And  bade  my  curious  eyes  the  scene  explore. 
Deep  was  the  vale ;  high  rose  the  mountains 

round  ; 

With  joy  I  gazed — then  stood  in  awe  profound. 
Close  on  the  eastern  shore,  a  mountain  high 
Rose  up  as  if  to  meet  the  azure  sky. 
Behind  its  terminated  point  there  lay, 
In  peaceful  pride,  a  little  winding  bay  ; 
While,  far  beyond,  a  brother  mountain  stood, 


116     SCENERY  OF  LAKE  GEORGE. 

Whose  top  with  towering  pride  overlooked  the 

flood. 

Between  the  hills  a  cloud  in  silence  hung, 
As  if  suspended  by  the  hand  of  night, 
"Which  o'er  the  hills  her  sable  mantle  flung  — 

Now  fast  dissolving  into  streams  of  light. 
The  waters  there  seemed  like  a  darkened  pall, 
Spread  o'er  a  city,  doomed  in  wrath  to  fall. 
The  bay  was  calm.     The  hills  on  either  side 
Stood  firm,  exulting  in  their  mountain  pride. 
There  seemed  at  first  to  ope  the  gates  of  morn, 
When   streams   of  light  the  hills  and  vales 

adorn. 
There  seemed,  where  yet  the  cloud  in  darkness 

lay, 

The  path  in  which  Aurora  led  the  day. 
But  yet,  while  Phoebus  upward  rolled  his  car, 
And  threw  his  beams  of  shining  light  afar, 
Slowly  the  cloud  was  seen  to  melt  away, 
Its  last   faint   streaks  commingling  with  the 

day. 


SCENEKY    OF    LAKE    GEOKGE.  117 

The  vail  was  rent ;  and  night,  with  noiseless 

tread, 

Retired,  as  if  to  slumber  with  the  dead. 
Then    shone    abroad    the    sun's    resplendent 

beams  ; 

Far  o'er  the  water  glanced  his  joyous  gleams, 
Reflecting  all  the  varying  shades  of  light, 
Till  all  was  brilliant,  as  was  dark  the  night. 
The  hills  were  glad,  and  joyous  were  the  trees, 
All  silent  now  —  now  whispering  in  the  breeze. 
Then  smiling  pleasure  led  her  joyful  train, 
"While  notes  melodious  filled  the  wide  domain. 
The  boats  were  seen  to  glide  across  the  wave, 
All  still,  save  by  the  strokes  the  oarsmen  gave ; 
"While  deep  within  the  bosom  of  the  lake, 
All  forms  their  bright  reflected  image  take. 
While  some  with  treacherous  bait  allure 

The  trout,  that  lay  in  "  speckled  pride," 
Beneath  the  wave,  yet  ill  secure, 

Full  many  a  crew  was  seen  to  ride 
In  "  still  repeated  circles  round," 


118  SCENERY   OF   LAKE   GEOKGE. 

Where  oft  upon  the  waters  lay 
The  beauteous  Isles,  which,  save  the  sound 

Of  birds  that  hymn  the  rising  day, 
"Were  silent  as  the  voiceless  tomb, 
And  lonely  as  the  desert's  gloom. 
Alone  they  seemed — but  not  alone  ; 
Though  solitude  did  hold  her  throne 
Within  that  calm  and  wild  retreat, 
There  birds  with  birds  in  concert  meet, 
There  hills  with  hills  in  strife  arise, 
And  vainly  tempt  the  lofty  skies. 
There  hills  with  brother  hills  converse, 
And  each  to  each  the  tales  rehearse, 
That  strike  themselves  with  deep  and  solemn 

sound, 

When  tattling  echo  tells  the  mountains  round. 
There  Isle  with  Isle,  familiar  courts 
The  wave  ;  and  wave,  rejoicing,  sports 
With  wave,  while  yet  themselves  appear 
The  friends  of  solitude  forever  reigning  here. 


HOME. 


"  SWEET  HOME  ! " — the  scene  of  early  joys  — 
Perchance,  of  unremembered  sorrow, 

How  dear  the  hope  my  heart  employs, 
Of  viewing  on  some  happy  morrow ! 

O,  how  hath  wizard  Fancy  wove 

With  light  and  gay  fantastic  fingers, 

The  holy  charm  of  early  love 

Around  the  spot  where  memory  lingers ! 

How  doth  imagination  light, 

Upon  her  trembling  pinions  falter, 

Before  the  flame  of  love,  that  bright 
Is  burning  on  the  fireside  altar ! 


120  HOME. 

The  bliss  of  earth  that 's  born  above, 
More  dear  to  me  than  every  other, 

Is  nature's  pure  and  pious  love 
Of  father,  mother,  sister,  brother. 

But  from  the  little  chosen  band 
That  once  did  in  that  circle  gather, 

Hath  gone  to  seek  a  better  land, 
My  loved  and  unforgotten  father. 

And  if  among  those  names,  so  dear, 
One  may  be  fonder  than  another, 

Who  gives  for  me  a  prayer,  or  tear. 

That  one  would  be  the  name  of  mother. 

What  though  her  vision  is  not  bright, 

Nor  quick  her  step  as  youth's  light  motion 

Undim'd  remains  her  mental  sight, 
Unchilled  the  warmth  of  her  devotion. 

Her  children  all  alike  she  loves  — 
On  each  bestows  some  little  token  — 


HOME.  121 

A  valued  gift  if  it  but  proves 

The  ties  of  Mature  are  not  broken. 

Though  they  are  scattered  far  and  wide, 
And  all  have  different  paths  before  them, 

Between  them  flows  no  ocean-tide, 

And  the  same  sky  is  ^railing  o'er  them. 

To  meet  again  at  their  "  sweet  home" 
The  joy  to  them  may  not  be  given  : 

Left  here  a  little  space  to  roam, 

O  Father !  call  them  home  to  heaven. 
MARCH,  183T. 


f  tt 


LET  Love  abide  forever ! 

Thus  did  Affection  sing  — 
Thus  wrote  the  faithful  lover 

Upon  a  golden  ring  ; 
He  gave  it  to  his  love  — 

She  vowed  to  keep  it  ever  ; 
Witnessed  the  stars  above  — 

"  Let  Love  abide  forever." 

Let  Love  abide  forever, 

Nor  think  the  date  too  long ; 

In  vain  might  time  endeavor 
To  swell  its  sweetest  song. 

I  'm  bound  to  thee  with  bonds 
Which  earth  may  not  dissever  ; 


124  LET    LOVE    ABIDE    FOREVEK. 

Thy  look  of  love  responds, 
"  Let  Love  abide  forever ! " 

Let  Love  abide  forever ! 

Though  mourning  on  us  come 
And  sorrows  round  us  hover, 

Love  rest  upon  our  home. 
When  in  affliction's  hour 

May  holy  friendship  ever 
Exclaim  with  softening  power, 

"  Let  Love  abide  forever ! " 

Let  Love  abide  forever  : 

It  was  not  born  to  die ! 
Who  shall  its  life  recover, 

When  falls  its  dying  sigh  ? 
Yes  —  love  shall  live,  though  death 

Our  earthly  ties  should  sever, 
And  sigh  our  dying  breath  ; 

"  Let  Love  abide  forever ! " 


I  LOVE  thee,  Brother !  with  a  sister's  love, 
And   claim  from  thee   a  Brother's  dearest 

prayer  ; 

And  if  the  spirits  pure,  that  dwell  above, 
May  read  our  thoughts  with  pain  or  plea 
sure  there, 
"Will  not  the  eye  of  her  that  bore  us,  shine 

"With  sweet  and  holy  rapture  when  she  feels, 
That  in  her  children  lives  her  love  divine  — 
That  Tiis  devotion  o'er  our  memory  steals, 
Who  smoothed  the  paths  our  infant  feet  hath 

trod,     . 
And  called  away  her  spirit  up  to  God. 

*  Written  for  a  young  lady  whose  parents  wore  dearl,  and  intended  to 
bo  presented  by  her,  as  a  tokeu  of  affection,  to  her  brother,  who  win 
•bout  to  be  msrrlej. 


I    LOVE    THEE,    BROTHER. 

What  though  thy  heart  be  plighted  to  another ; 

Give  not  the  love  that's  to  a  sister  due  ; 
Nor  shall  I  claim  in  thy  affection,  Brother, 

Her  place,  whom  holier  ties  will  bind  to  you. 
For  her  a  home  is  left  within  my  heart  ; 

Nor  do  I  yield  the  place  that's  due  a  Brother : 
To  each,  deserved  love  I  will  impart : — 

O  spirits  dear,  of  father  and  of  mother, 
Help  us  to  keep,  of  love,  the  sacred  trust, 
Till  pass  our  souls  to  thee  —  our  flesh  to  dust. 


LAND  of  theWest!  where  freedom's  altars  burn, 
Thy  bosom  is  the  child  of  Nature's  urn. 
Here  were  the  temples  in  the  forest-shade, 
Where  was   of  old  the  Red   Man's  offering 

made. 

Above  the  shrine  did  lofty  branches  wave  — 
The  tree  the  column — cloud  the  architrave ; 
The  high  expanded  arch  of  heaven,  the  dome ; 
The  rock  the  altar,  and  the  earth  the  tomb. 
That  time! — O  faded  are  those  scenes  away — 
What  harp  shall  sing  the  sadly  pleasing  lay ! 

Young    Enterprise,  with  bounding  footsteps, 

traced 
The  rivers  that  the  waving  prairie  graced  ; 


128  A    FRAGMENT. 

The  sporting  Naiads  left  their  crystal  waves, 
Their  silver  fountains  and  their  coral  caves. 
The  lover's  song  no  longer  heard  the  grove, 
]Sror  forest-girl  his  bridal  chaplet  wove. 

Improvement  next  appeared  with  sinews  strong, 
And    followed   in   his   train    th'    industrious 

thrcng; 

The  forest  fell — the  works  of  art  appeared, 
An  empire  rose,  as  by  enchantment  reared. 
Then  hither  came  all  passions  of  the  earth, 
Ambitious  each  to  celebrate  her  birth ; 
And  each  with  envious  strife  was   heard  to 

claim 

The  right  to  give  the  infant  world  a  name. 
Stern   Justice   was   to   weigh — bright  Truth 

approve, 
And  moral  worth  alone  the  balance  move. 

"Wealth's  menial  sons  their  golden  offerings 
brought, 


A   FRAGMENT.  129 

And   Learning  bore   the   triumphs   she    had 

wrought. 
Proud   Conquest  came,   and  in  the  balance 

placed 

The  trophies  which  a  thousand  victories  graced. 
"While  yet  the  balance  hung  with  trembling 

swing, 

Adventurous  Genius  came,  with  steady  wing, 
And  pinions  radiant  with  a  golden  stream, 
And  hung  his  laurels  on  the  wavering  beam  ; 
Ingratitude  upheld  the  sinking  scale, 
But  Truth  beheld  and  cried — "COLUMBIA,  HAIL  ! " 


THE  VICTOR  SPIRIT. 


pirit. 


i. 

THE  mind  !  immortal  mind  !  who  shall  declare 

Its  destiny  ?     Itself  alone  hath  taught 
The  secrets  of  the  ocean,  earth  and  air, 

But  what  shall  teach  itself  the  source  of 

thought? 

Mysterious  is  the  force  the  spheres  obey, 
That  move  in  grandeur  through  their  trackless 

way. 

All  these  by  Nature's  finest  fingers  wrought, 
The  mind  may  scan  as  with  a  power  divine, 
While  it  with  deepest  thought  can  scarce  itself 
define. 


134:  THE    VICTOli     SPIKIT. 

II. 

Mark  how  the  beauteous   form  that  Nature 

shows 

Calls  up  the  joyous  smile  of  cheering  praise; 

What  lovely  charms  her  rural  scenes  disclose  : 

See  how  the  mind  its  high  delight  displays, 

As 't  views  creation's  works  from  earliest  time, 

And  gathers  wealth  from  every  varied  clime  : 

Behold  how  then  it  burns  with  bright'ning 

blaze. 

And  all  the  shades  of  passion,  feeling,  thought, 
Arise  at  sight  of  wondrous  works  that  God 
hath  wrought ! 

III. 

Bid  Fancy  touch  the  springs  of  mind  sublime — 
Trace  out  imagination's  highest  flight ; 

Roll  backward  then  the  waveless  tide  of  time, 
Through  bright'ning  day,  or  dark,  oblivious 
night, 


THE   VICTOR    SPIRIT.  135 

What  time  the  morning  stars  their  song  began, 
And    mark  what   feelings  move  the  soul  of 

man  : 
What  passions   rule — what   blissful  hopes 

delight — 

And  say — from  burning  zone  to  frozen  pole — 
If  aught  is  found  sublimer  than  the  fearless 

soul ! 

IV. 

Heard  ye  the  thunder's  peal — the  ocean's  roar? 

Saw  ye  the  lightning's  flash  in  deep  of  night, 

When  waves   in  madness  lashed  the  rocky 

shore? 
Or  looked  ye  down  the  mountain's  giddy 

height, 

To  fearful  gulfs  and  watery  graves  below  ? 
Heard  ye,  the  while,  the  threat'ning  tempest 

blow, 

While  rolled  the  billows  proud  of  furious 
might, — 


136  THE    VICTOK     SPIKIT. 

And  darkness  deep  with  terror  vailed  the  sky? 
All  these  are  full  of  grand  and  awful  majesty ! 

Y. 
The  smallest  star  that  shines  in  distant  space, 

"When  seen  afar  with  philosophic  eye  ; 
The  dark  eclipse  that  drives  the  day  apace  ; 

The  comet  as  it  rides  along  the  sky, 
To  chase  the  darkening  shades  of  night  away ; 
The  blue  expanse  that  mocks  our  short  survey; 
Vastness  and  strength  that  all  our  powers 

defy; 

Extension  infinite  and  endless  time !  — 
The  thoughts  of  these  are  great,  majestic,  and 
sublime ! 

VI. 

But  mark  the  man  by  noble  passion  moved, 
Who  proudly  bids  defiance  to  his  foes, 

And  see  the  soul  by  conscious  truth  approved, 
In  triumph  rise  o  'er  all  its  weight  of  woes  ; 


THE    VICTOR    SPIRIT.  137 

The    Patriot's    bosom     burn,    with    freedom 

fired  ; 
The  hero's  soul  by  love  of  fame  inspired, 

Disdaining  all  that  dare  his  right  oppose, 
And  though  an  armed  host  his  power  defy, 
"With  firmest  voice  he  swears  "  to  conquer  or 

to  die ! " 

VII. 

Thus,  raised  above  the  chilling  touch  of  fear, 
All    free    exists    the     captive's    dauntless 

mind. 

What  though  the  body 's  bound  in  chains  se 
vere, 

Not  by  creation  is  the  soul  confined. 
While  innocence  the  charge  of  guilt  denies, 
Exulting  shall  the  winged  spirit  rise. 

No  prison  can  its  viewless  essence  bind, 
No  terror  chill  its  sweet  and  pure  delight, 
No  feeling  blast  its  heavenly  hopes  and  vis 
ions  bright. 
7* 


138  THE    VICTOR    SPIRIT. 


VIII. 

Thus,  o'er  the  wave,  on  Erin's  fated  land, 
Whose  sea-girt  shore  the  troubled   waters 

lave, 
His  country  saw  a  youthful  patriot  stand 

"With  high  resolve  the  Emerald  Isle  to  save; 
Accused  of  crime  by  slander's  perjured  breath, 
And  by  the  foes  of  Freedom  led  to  death, 

Unyielding  there  he  fell  as  fall  the  brave  : 
While  o'er  his  tomb  his  kindred  spirits  sighed, 
Immortal   Freedom   mourned,  when  godlike 
EMMET  died. 

IX. 

So  in  that  land  far-famed  in  ancient  song, 
Which  wild  yEgean's  classic  waves  divide, 

A  mighty  nation's  tomb  has  mouldered  long, 
And  long  the  sea  has  rolled  its  mournful  tide 

Against    the   rocks    that    skirt  its    winding 
shore, 


THE   VICTOR   SPIKIT.  139 

As  if  with  sighing  sounds  it  would  deplore 
The   Spartan    band  that  there  so  bravely 

died! 

Thermop'lse  then  did  consecrate  her  name, 
And  there  Leonid  as  acquired  immortal  fame ! 

X. 

Let  heroes  boast  their  deeds  of  bravery  done, 

Let  patriots  for  their  country  bleed  and  die  : 
Let  those  in  triumph  tell  their  victories  won, 

And  these,  the  foes  of  Liberty  defy  ; 
Yet  are  they  not  the  noblest  ones  of  earth, 
~Nor  can  they  give  the  purest  passions  birth. 

There  is  a  feeling  more  sublime  and  high  : 
It  is  the  moral  courage  of  the  mind, 
Triumphant  over  fear,  and  yet  to  heaven  re 
signed. 

XI. 

So  when  the  good  man,  'mid  bright  scenes  of 
earth, 


TIIK    VICTOR    SPIKIT. 

With  memory  sweet  recalls  the  fleeting  past, 
And  seeks,  perchance,  the  cause  that  gave  him 

birth  ; 

When  all  with  mystery  is  quite  o'ercast, 
Conducted  by  imagination's  flight, 
Beyond  the  solemn   bounds  of  death's  dark 

night : 
The   mind,  forgetting    scenes    that    cannot 

last, 

Would  fain  explore  the  Universe  sublime, 
To  grasp  infinity,  and  measure  endless  time ! 

XII. 

Arid  such  a  trial  was,  in  ancient  days, 

When    human   intellect  had    reached    tho 

height 
Of  envied  admiration,  and  high  praise 

From  lips  that  spoke,  and  eyes  that  looked 

delight, 

Did   swell   the   human    heart   with    pompous 
pride. 


THE    VICTOK    SPIEIT.  141 

And  fiction  gained  tve  praise  to  truth  denied  : 
Then  first  arose  the  faint  and  flickering 
light, 

That  joyous  beamed  from  Truth's  celestial 
throne, 

Whose  face,  when  first  unvailed,  with  bright 
est  radiance  shone. 

XIII. 

This  light,  while  scarce  by  purest  spirits  seen, 
Remained   to  vulgar    minds    in    darkness 

sealed. 

Its  fainting  gleams,  the  darkening  shades  be 
tween, 

From  human  vision's  reach  well-nigh  con 
cealed. 

A  lofty  mind,  beyond  the  world's  control, 
Disdaining  fear  of  death,  believed  the  soul 
Immortal  —  great  the  truth  —  not  then  re 
vealed. 
This  firm  belief  the  martyr  testified  — 


14:2  THE   VICTOR   SPIRIT. 

This  blissful  hope  he,  living,  taught,  and  teach 
ing,  died. 

XIV. 

Not  fearful  dreams  of  falling  into  naught, 
But  hope  to  rise  immortal  from  the  tomb, 

By  Socrates  conceived  and  Plato  taught, 

Impelled  the  fearless  son  of  ancient  Rome 
—  Disdaining  terrors  of  a  coming  foe, 

And  all  the  fearful  thoughts  of  human  woe  — 
To  end  his  life,  nor  wait  for  Caesar's  doom. 

Defeating  thus  the  tyrant's  stern  decree, 

Heroic  Cato  died,  and  set  his  spirit  free  ! 

XV. 

But  he,  though  great,   was   not  without   his 
faults  ; 

And  yet,  like  virtues  all  his  errors  shone. 
How  great  is  he  whose  mind  himself  exalts, 

While  others  shine  with  merits  not  their  own! 
The  act  't  was  not,  but  motive  which  inspired, 


THE   VIOTOK   SPIRIT.  143 

That  made  the  man  lamented  and  admired. 

Not  hopeless  did  he  go  to  realms  unknown, 
For,  having  deeply  drank  of  Plato's  lore, 
He  sighed  for  immortality,  and  was  no  more. 

XYI. 

One  more  —  the  greatest  of  the  noble  line 
That    ruled    th'  imperial    mistress   of    the 

earth  — 
Deserves  a  place  upon  the  scroll  divine, 

That  keeps  the  record  of  the  names  of  worth, 
That  honored  live  on  the  historic  page, 
And  gather  praise  from  each  succeeding  age. 

Of  such  we  gladly  hail  the  glorious  birth, 
And  drop  the  tear  of  memory  o'er  their  tombs: 
The  name  of  Regulus  eternal  is,  as  Rome's. 

XYI  I. 

But  view  we  now  the  conqueror's  banquet-hall. 
There  lie  the  spoils  of  many  a  battle-field  — 
Red  arms,  torn  from  the  soldier  at  his  fall  — 


141  THE'VICTOR    SPIRIT. 

Helmet,  and  sword,  and    brightly   brazen 

shield, 

And  fond  mementoes  of  his  lady  bright, 
Snatched  from  the  bosom  of  the  valiant  Knight. 
'Mid  triumphs  of  the  hour,  the  victors — steeled 
To  moral  worth — hoped,  with  oppression's  rod, 
Through  seas  of  blood,  to  gain  the  citadel  of 
God! 

XYIII. 

Shall  he,  Napoleon,  claim  a  power  supreme  ? 

Shall  Brutus  triumph  o'er  a  tyrant  slain  ? 
Or  Hannibal,  to  swell  the  lofty  theme, 

Rejoicing,  bear  the  spoils  of  Cannae's  plain? 
None  is  a  boast  so  great,  sublime,  and  high, 
As  when,  without  a  groan  —  without  a  sigh, 

The  Red  Man  meets  his  fate  with  proud  dis 
dain, 

While  yet  his  fearless  and  unconquered  soul, 
Exulting,  soars  sublime,  and  still  defies  con 
trol  ! 


THE    VICTOR    STIKIT.  14:5 


XIX. 

Let  Princesses  imperial  pride  sustain  : 

And  let  them  rule  a  nation  "long  and  well." 
Of  brave  heroic  sons  in  battle  slain, 

Let  Greek  and  Roman  mothers  proudly  tell ; 
Yet  loftier  and  nobler  feelings  rise 
From  hearts  to  mercy  made  a  sacrifice. 

Sublimer  words  or  kinder  looks,  ne'er  fell 
From  human  lips  or  beamed  from  human  eye, 
Than  when  the  "Forest  Girl"   exclaimed  — 
"  Thou  shalt  not  die ! " 

XX. 

America !  what  muse  of  eagle- wing, 

Created  for  a  flight  sublime,  shall  plume 

Her  pinions  strong,  and  heavenward  soaring, 

sing 
The  deeds  of  those  whose  praises  shall  illume 

The  great  historian's  page  in  future  years, 

And  draw  from  youthful  eyes  admiring  tears ! 


14:0  THE   VICTOR   SPIRIT. 

O,  may  some  bard  inspired  the  song  re 
sume, 

The  glories  of  the  brave  to  spread  through 
earth, 

Who  lived  where  Mature  gave  a  Pocahontas 
birth. 

XXL 

O  woman  !  he  thy  love  that  doth  not  feel, 
Or  hath    not  felt,  than  man  is   more  or 

less  ; 
And  he  that  hath  not  knelt,  or  would   not 

kneel, 

To  one  that  hath  substantial  power  to  bless, 
— Albeit  on  him  hath  fortune  ever  smiled, 
And  Genius  nursed  him  as  a  favored  child, 
And  heard  admiring  throngs  his  fame  con 
fess — 

Hath  never  known  the  purest  bliss  of  heaven, 
Or  knowing  it,   perverted  hath  the  end  for 
which  'twas  given. 


THE    VICTOR    SPIRIT.  147 


XXII. 

Her  strength  of  hope,  her  faith,  and  trust,  and 
love, 

Is  not  the  growth  of  ages,  nursed  with  care, 
And  cultured  in  the  heart,  as,  from  the  grove 

Of  sunny  climes  to  lands  of  keener  air, 
The  young  exotic,  brought,  endures  the  gale, 
But  mourns  the  beauty  of  its  native  vale  : 

TV  affections  of  the  heart  are  innate  there, 
As  he  may  learn  who  seeks  the  fount  of  joy, 
Like  life,  that  man  cannot  create,  but  may  de 
stroy. 

XXIII. 

From  human  passions  separate  the  dross, 
And  from  the  mass  the  pure  and  priceless 
save ! 

Land  of  the  worshiped  crescent  or  the  cross  — 
Of  Christian  warrior,  or  the  Moslem  slave  — 

Of  rustic  homes  or  palaces  refined, 


148  THE    VICTOR    SPIRIT. 

Where  Freedom  reigns  or  iron  fetters  bind  — 

Bring  forth  the  patriotic  and  the  brave, 
And  trace  the  record  back  to  earliest  time  : 
What  spirit  hath  a  power  than  woman's  more 
sublime ! 

XXIV. 

Behold  it  in  the  hut  of  savage  life, 

When  cheers  her  holy  smile  the  dying  chief : 
O,  never  dearer  is  the  name  of  wife, 

Than  when  to  burning  brow  she  gives  relief. 
Great  Chief!    supremely  blest  thine  evening 

hour, 
Thy   body    chained,   but    not    unfeared    thy 

power, 
As   o'er  thy  cheek   there  fell  the  tears  of 

grief, 
And  sweetest  words  from  lips  that  lisped  thy 

name, 

Were  breathed  to  lend  a  charm  to  Osceola's 
fame. 


THE    VICTOR    SPIKIT.  149 


XX  Y. 

Lived  there  on  earth  than  his  a  bolder  spirit  ? — 

Though  sullen  in  defeat,  and  in  the  field 
Ferocious  ;  who,  his  fame  that  would  inherit, 

Would  bear  a  prouder  emblem  on  his  shield 
Than  such  a  warrior's  likeness  ? — bravery's  seal 
Was  on  his  brow,  and  throb'd  a  heart  could  feel 

"Within  his  bosom  ;  yet  to  feeling  steeled 
It  might  be,  and  it  was,  or  seemed  to  be, 
When  Treachery  enslaved  whom  God  created 
free  ! 

XXVI. 

In  all  the  varied  forms  of  matter,  what 

"  So  complicate  and  curious  wrought"  as  man  ? 

Go,  search  creation  through,  and  there  is  not 
A  wonder  of  a  more  mysterious  plan. 

His  noblest  portion,  the  immortal  soul  — 

That  spirit  born  of  God  that  doth  control 
His  mortal  frame  —  no  other  essence  can, 


150  THE    VICTOR    SPIRIT. 

Like  this — than  all  things  else  created,  higher — 
Exist,  when  all  material  forms  are  burned  with 
fire ! 

XXVII. 

The  spirit  hath  in  earth  its  triumph-hour  : 
Itself  the  fount  of  life,  and  thought  and  feel 
ing; 

The  spring  that  wakes  to  being  passion's  power, 
"When  throes   of  pain  are  o'er  the  pulses 

stealing, 
Which  act  on  it,  like  storms  on  quiet  oceans, 

And  raise  a  whirlwind  of  its  deep  emotions  : 
But  times  are  when  the  soul,  again  congeal 
ing 

Them  to  repose,  seals  them  with  crystal  tear, 
That  shines  like  a  bright  pleiad  in  the  heav 
enly  sphere. 

XXYIII. 

Religion !  thine  the  viewless  force  that  leads 


THE    VICTOR   SPIRIT.  151 

The  mind  to  that  illimitable  height, 
Whence  it  with  pity  looks  on  warring  creeds 

That  dim  but  darken  not  thy  holy  light ; 
And  thine  the  power  that  doth  defy  the  flame 
To  kill  the  soul  while  it  consumes  the  frame  ; 

To  thee,  O  man,  is  given  the  moral  sight 
To  see  th'  all-glorious  pathway  in  the  skies, 
"Where  hope  but  in  the  joys  of  full  fruition 
dies. 

XXIX. 

Go  with  the  martyr  to  the  burning  pile ; 

And  light  the  crackling  fagots,  if  you  will. 
Behold  his  features  lightened  by  a  smile, 

His  even  pulse,  and  blood  without  a  chill  : 
The  finer  organs  of  corporeal  pain 
Absorbed  in  triumphs  of  the  spirit's  reign ! 

By  God  Almighty's  nice  creative  skill 
Produced,  and  with  material  forms  combined, 
Behold     sublimelv    bright    the    energies    of 

v  O  O 

mind ! 


152  THE    VICTOIi    SPIRIT. 

XXX. 

See  bow  the  noblest  passions  move  the  soul 
Of  man  to  great,  and  good,  and  glorious 
deeds  ; 

How  love  of  freedom,  truth  and  right  control, 
Whene'er  a  patriot  falls  or  hero  bleeds  : — 

Eternal  things  sublimest  thoughts  inspire  ; 

And  when  our  youthful  joys  with  age  expire, 
Or,  swiftly,  Death  his  early  coming  speeds, 

Serenely  smiles  the  hope,  undying,  bright, 

That  points  to  life  eternal  and  immortal  light. 


THE  work  of  labor  now  is  done,  and  rest 
Awaits  the  happy  millions  that  repose 
Upon  the  lap  of  ease.     Content  is  there, 
To  whisper  of  the  promises  of  hope  — • 
Of  hope,  the  bright-winged  messenger  of  peace. 
For  who,  that  meets  this  hour  aright,  but  feels 
An  inward  flow  of  joy  which  lifts  the  soul 
To  elevated  themes  and  holy  thoughts, 
Meant  for  the  morrow  ?     Him  I  envy  not 
Who  would  not  claim  these  feelings  as  his  own. 
Not  all  unpleasing  is  the  evening  walk, 
The  gaze  upon  the  stars,  whose  steady  eyes 
Have  never  failed  of  lustre  since  the  day 
The  Great  Eternal  bathed  the  world  in  light. 


1^-  SATURDAY     EVENING. 

The   moon,  more  proud,   but    less    sublime, 

walks  up 
The   sky  and  boasts  her  brighter  than  the 

clouds, 
"Whose  shade  but  helps  to  give  her  glory. 

These, 

The  balmy  air,  the  cricket's  song,  and  all 
The  soft  accordances  of  evening,  mould 
The  thoughts  in  harmony  ;  but  he  who  views 
This  scene  alone,  can  see  and  feel  but  half 
Its  beauty.     Happy  he  that  knows  there 's  one 
Who  would  be  with  him  in  this  quiet  hour. 


\m  Irae — % 

A   TRANSLATIOX. 


THE  world,  upon  the  Judgment  Day, 
Shall  burn  to  ashes  :  —  thus  doth  say 
The  Sibyl's*  verse  and  David's  lay. 

How  great  a  terror  now  he  brings, 

When  conies  the  Judge,  the  King  of  Kings, 

Se\  erely  to  review  all  things ! 

The  trump,  sending  its  dreadful  sound, 
Throughout  the  vast  sepulchral  ground, 
Shall  gather  all  his  throne  around. 

*The  Sibyls  were  certain  women  supposed  to  be  inspired  by  heaven. 
A  collection  of  Greek  verses  has  been  preserved,  pretended  to  be  the  oracles 
of  the  Sibyls.  Some  of  the  Christian  fathers  cited  the  books  of  the  Sibyls 
in  favor  of  the  Christian  religion.  The  allusion  to  them  in  the  above, 
is  a  proof  of  the  credit  which  was  given  to  them.  In  the  history  of  the 
Papal  chapel,  published  at  Rome  in  Ifc39,  it  is  stated  that  Michael  Angelo, 
by  order  of  Julius  II,  painted  on  the  ceiling  of  the  Sistine  chapel,  the 
great  facts  of  the  early  history  of  man,  the  creation,  the  fall,  the  deluge, 
fit:.;  and  below  these,  on  each  side,  the  majestic  figures  of  the  prophets 
and  Sibyls,  which  appear  as  vouchers  for  the  traditions  preserved  among 
the  Pagans  concerning  ihe  Mos.siuh. 


ir.r, 


Nature  shall  die  • —  Death  lose  his  stings, 
And  rise  again  created  things, 
And  answer  to  the  King  of  Kings. 

The  written  book  shall  then  be  brought, 

Where  is  recorded  every  thought, 

Whence  the  world's  judgment  shall  be  wrought. 

Then  shall  the  Judge  ascend  his  throne, 
And  what  were  hidden  things  make  known, 
And  all  must  for  their  sins  atone. 

What  answer  can  I,  wretched,  give  ? 
What  patron  ask  —  what  hope  receive, 
When  scarcely  can  the  righteous  live  ? 

King  of  tremendous  majesty, 

Whose  grace  saves  those  who  saved  shall  be, 

Fountain  of  piety,  save  me ! 

Remember,  Lord,  I  pray, 


DIES     IKAE.  157 

Thou  earnest  because  of  my  lost  way, 
And  O,  destroy  me  not  this  day  ! 

Questioning  me  thou  sit'st  in  pain, 
"Who,  crowned,  on  the  cross  wast  slain  : 
May  so  great  labor  not  be  vain ! 

Just  Judge  of  punishment,  I  pray 
Thy  mercy  for  my  sinful  way, 
Before  the  final  Judgment  Day. 

That  I  so  guilty  am,  I  mourn  : 

]My  faults  make  me  with  shame  to  burn  : 

God,  spare  a  suppliant  to  return  ! 

Thou  who  from  sin  set  Mary  free, 
And  heard  the  thief  upon  the  tree, 
Hast  also  given  hope  to  me. 

Unworthy  is  my  heart's  desire, 

But  thou,  Lord,  me  with  faith  inspire, 

Lest  I  be  burned  in  endless  fire  ! 


158  DIES     IKAE. 

Give  me  among  the  sheep  to  stand  : 
Divide  me  from  the  goats'  dark  band, 
And  grant  a  place  at  thy  right  hand. 

Thy  maledictions  all  repressed, 
Thy  cruel  burnings,  too,  suppressed, 
Call  me  to  sit  among  the  blessed. 

I  pray,  as  I  a  suppliant  bend, 
A  heart  contrite  as  ashes  lend, 
And  take  thou  care  of  my  last  end. 

That  day  shall  witness  tearful  eyes 
"When  it*  shall  from  its  ashes  rise. 

Man  must  be  judged,  accused  of  God  : 
O  Father,  spare  thy  chastening  rod. 

Pious  Jesus,  Lord,  give  him  rest. — Amen. 

*  The  translator  supposes  that  the  nominative  case  to  resurget,  trans  • 
lated  it,  refers  to  " cor  contritum,"  "contrite  heart,"  in  the  preceding 
stanza. 


A  TUCK  INCIDENT. 


THERE  was  a  fountain  of  the  purest  water. 
An  infant  leaned  upon  its  father's  bosom, 
While  rose  the  voice  of  prayer. 

Many  were  there 

To  gaze  upon  the  scene ;  and  he  that  prayed. 
While  all  were  silent,  in  the  water  dipped 
His  hand  and  laid  it  on  the  infant's  brow  ; 
And  as  its  name  fell  from  his  parted  lips, 
He  blessed  it. 

Then  't  was  fit  the  father's  heart 
Should  feel  that  God  had  given  a  precious 

trust, 
And  that  he,  whose  the  blessing  was,  should 

promise 


ICO  THE   BAPTISM. 

To  keep  it  undefiled.     And  while  lie  stood, 
And  listened  to  his  sacred  teacher's  words, 
And  bowed  in  token  of  his  full  assent, 
His  child  laid  on  his  lips  a  precious  kiss  ; 
And  they  that  saw  it  felt  it  had  become 
An  angel.    Feeling  conquered,  and  they  wept. 


f0r  flu    Uto    Uar, 


THE  jubilee  is  come  —  the  glad  New  Year ! 
How  sweet  the  thoughts  that  cluster  round  its 

birth  ! 

It  is  a  time  for  pure  and  holy  feelings. 
The  little  ones  that  sought  the  pillow's  rest 
Unwilling  on  the  charmed  eve,  awake 
To  claim  their  father's  gift  and  mother's  kiss, 
Right  glad  to  be  the  h'rst  to  lisp  those  words 
Of  bright  and  storied  dreams  —  a  glad  New 

Year ! 

The  bright  Xew  Year !  its  first  careering  sun 
Shall  lend  a  holy  smile,  as  gives  the  seal 
Of  friendship  its  impression  deep  on  hearts 


162  THE    NEW    TEAK. 

Of  purest  mould,  while  signets  long  effaced 
And  worn,  shall  re-imprinted  be,  and  wine 
Shall  wash  away  the  dust  neglect  has  heaped 
On    bosoms    made    for    high   and    generous 

thoughts  ; 

And  love  shall  weave  its  silken  meshes  round 
Those  re-united  by  its  kind  embrace. 


The  gay  Kew  Year  ! .   The  fascinating  smiles 
Of  beauty,  clothed  in  neat  and  chaste  attire, 
Shall  add  new  glory  to  the  morning  light. 
The  melting  music  of  the  harp,  and  song 
Of  human  voice  divine  —  the  gladsome  laugh, 
And  joyous  dance,  and  all  the  features  bright, 
Doth  speak  a  language  tongue   hath   never 

learned  ; 

For  who  can  paint  the  cheek  of  rosy  blush 
And  changing  hue,  or  write  in  words  the  joy 
That  lights   the  eye   and  curls   the   lip  with 

smiles? 


THE   NEW   YEAR.  163 

The  blest  ]STew  Year !  'T  is  good  to  look  around 
And  feel  that  we,  this  day,  are  not  alone  ; 
That  hearts  and  hopes  of  absent  friends  are 

with  us. 

'  T  is  good  for  us  this  day  should  come  :  it  is 
A  landmark  in  our  life's  else  trackless  way. 
Look  up  when  zenith  holds  the  burning  sun  : 
It  seems  scarce  higher  than  the  golden  ball 
That  lights  the  dome  of  yonder  tower.    But  see, 
"When  the  horizon  drinks  its  mellow  light, 
His  lengthened  rays  illume  the  village  spire, 
And  gaze  upon  the  distant  turret,  tree, 
And  hill,  and  brightly  burnished  wave  ;  the 

cloud 

And  far-off  mountain  —  these  but  feebly  count 
The  tens  of  millions  of  his  distant  way  ! 
And  so,  when  flows  the  tide  of  time  along, 
The  birth  of  freedom,  and  the  death  of  saints, 
The  hero's  triumph,  and  the  K~ew  Year's  hour, 
The  Sabbath  morn  and   Christmas  Eve  —  all 


THE    NEW    YEAR. 

Us  warning  of  its  passage  ;  for  these  are 
The   sands   laid   on  the  shore  of  time  —  the 

drops 

That  swell  the  ocean  of  eternity  !  — 
The  quarter-strokes  that  give  to  mortal  man 
The  token  of  his  quickly-passing  life. 

The  sad  New  Year!  for  those  aro  now  no 
more 

That  were  our  pride  and  joy.  And  one  there 
is  — 

A  widowed  mother  —  who  hath  lost  what  was 

To  her  t)f  heavenly  worth,  her  darling  child  ; 

And  children  are  who  mourn  their  parents7 
death  — 

The  homeless  daughter  and  the  orphan  boy. 

Let  Charity  perform  her  pleasing  task, 

And  take  from  them  their  humble  tribute  — 
thanks : 

Thanks  for  the  plenty  which  their  hands  re 
ceived, 


THE    NEW    YEAK.  lt>5 

From  those  whom  God  hath  given  generous 

hearts  ; 
And  thanks  that  Heaven  hath  spared  them  for 

the  gift. 

The  New  Year's  Day  !  it  is  a  day  of  joy, 
Of  fear,  of  trust,  of  sorrow  and  of  hope  : 
Of  joy  that  we  are  not  unblessed  ;  of  fear, 
That  we  have  poorly  earned  the  good  man's 

praise  ; 
Of  trust,  that  Heaven   will  guide   our   steps 

aright ; 

Of  sorrow,  that,  since  last  this  festal  day 
We  hailed,  the  friends  we  cherished  with  our 

love, 

Are  lost  to  our  embrace  ;  of  hope,  that  bliss 
Immortal  is  their  lot,  and  that,  when  death 
Shall  call  us  hence,  we  '11  share  with  them  the 

deep 
And  full  fruition  of  eternal  rest. 


10 


WHEN  Oppression  sought  to  rule  the  world, 
And  Kings  became  intoxicate  with  fame, 
And    blackened   flags  were   everywhere  un 
furled, 

Down  from  her  native  heaven  a  being  came, 
Her  features  bright 
"With  hallowed  light, 
Her  father  God,  and  Liberty  her  name  ! 

Angel  of  Light !  whose  burning  throne 

Shall  never  fade  or  fail ; 
Thy  great  and  Godlike  errand  done, 

The  Nations  bade  thee,  Hail ! 
The  foes  of  Freedom  were  amazed, 

To  see  her  shining  form, 
And  Freedom's  friends  her  coming  praised 

As  thev  beheld  the  coming  storm. 


ODE   TO    LIBERTY. 

A  shield  with  streaks  of  light  illumed  with  stars, 
That  gave  a  glory  to  the  soldier's  scars, 
Who,  righting,  died   beneath    her  high   com 
mand, 

Aloft  she  bore  with  more  than  human  hand  ; 
And  tales  shall  tell 
How  heroes  fell, 
The  Patriot-martyrs  of  a  chosen  land  ! 

Their  tombs  around 
Shall  freemen  proudly  weep 
And  peaceful  be  their  sleep 
In  holy  ground. 

His  Angel-choirs 
The  God  of  music  woke 
"Who  swept  with  magic  stroke 

Their  breathing  lyres. 
Borne  swiftly  on  their  n'ery  car 
With  light'ning  flash 
And  thund'ring  crash, 
All  fiercely  cajne  the  hosts  of  war! 


ODE    TO    LIBERTY.  169 

"With  breath  of  smoke, 
And  iron  hands, 
And  e yes  of  fire, 
The  hero  gave  the  deadly  stroke 

And  saw  his  foes  expire  ; 
But  lo !  his  banner  proudly  stands  ; 
For  while  the  heaving  tide  of  battle  rolls, 
And  every  flood 
Is  red  with  blood, 

The  Eagle-bearer  holds  its  glorious  folds, 
For  he  has  left  "  his  mansion  in  the  sun  " 
To  see  the  task  of  warriors  done  ! 

The  foot  of  battle  strode  sublime, 
O'ermarching  plain  and  mountain, 
Frozen  stream  and  flowing  fountain, 
With  drum  and  trumpet's  awful  chime, 
And  Lexington 
A  glory  won, 

That  swells  the  raptured  poet's  song, 
And  bids  the  bard  his  notes  prolong, 


170  ODE   TO   LIBERTY. 

Let  him  raise  the  tuneful  voice  : 
Let  the  nations  all  rejoice, 
And  Bunker's  hill 
The  song  shall  fill, 
And  millions  of  this  happy  land 
Shall  sing  its  praises  and  its  power  expand ! 

While  Freedom  finds  a  friend  on  earth, 
"While  gives  the  world  a  hero  birth, 

Shall  Bravery's  legends  tell 
How  —  when  her  soil  the  warrior  trod  — 
Ticonderoga  fell 

Beneath  the  hand 
Whose  stern  command 

Was  in  the  name  of  Congress  and  Almighty 
God! 

Now  look  around 
On  classic  ground  : 
For  war,  the  hated  scourge  of  God, 
This  peaceful  land  hath  trod. 
See  !  across  the  narrow  tide, 


ODE   TO    LIBERTY.  171 

The  region  of  the  Lion's  pride  !  — 
"When  his  shaggy  front  he  shook, 

And  for  the  battle-prize  contended, 
The  "  Bird  of  Jove,"  with  fearless  look, 
From  the  throne  of  God  descended  : 
Boldly  plucked  his  flowing  mane, 
And  gave  it  to  the  winds  that  swept  the  plain ! 
On  Erie's  banks 
The  crowded  ranks, 
Like  Pilgrims  to  some  holy  shrine, 
Kush'd  on  to  victory  or  death  divine  ! 

The  fairest  of  the  ocean's  daughters 

Bore  proudly  on  her  smiling  waters 

The  Eagle's  and  the  Lion's  hostile  line  : 

Her  gentle  flood 

There  drank  the  blood 

Of  the  King  of  beasts, 

As,  at  her  feasts, 

His  royal  mistress  drinks  her  wine. 
The  winged  warrior  nobly  fought  : 


172  ODE    TO    LIBERTY. 

The  breeze  the  shout  of  victory  caught, 
And  glory  crowned  our  country's  powers, 

When  Perry's  name 

She  gave  to  fame, 
Who  met  the  foe  and  made  them  ours ! 

That  day  full  many  a  hero  fell. 
Niagara's  wave 
Became  their  grave, 
As  long,  historic  tale  shall  tell  ; 
Long  as  the  conquering  bird  shall  wave  its 

wing ; 

Long  as  the  Minstrel-Cataract  shall  sing, 
Shall  Angels  raise 
The  song  of  praise  ! 
And  gladd'ning  shouts  of  triumph  ring  ! 

JULY  4,  1839. 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 


r. 


A  theme  fall  worthy  of  an  angel's  lyre, 

To  holiest  strains  attuned,  awaits  the  song  ; 
And  though,  perchance,  in  vain  it  strive  to  fire 
The  "soul  of  harmony"  with  feelings  strong 
And  deep,  the  bashful  muse  essays  to  sing 
What  well  befits  a  harp  of  boldest  string. 
]S~ot  nobler  thoughts  have  stirred   the   en 
raptured  throng, 
!N"or  sweeter  strains  have  moved   a  seraph's 

tongue, 

Than  this  deserves,  the  highest  theme  by  bards 
unsung 


1T<)          Tin*:  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 


II. 

Know  ye  the  works  which  ISTature  hath  created, 

External  substance  and  material  forms? 
How  each  to  each,  mysterious  stands  related  ? 
And  what  that  chills,  and  what  the  power 

that  warms  ? 

What  bids  the  vapor's  sporting  curls  to  rise  ? 
And  why  the  snows  desert  their  native  skies  ? 
What  power  creates  and  stills   the   angry 

storms  ? 

Why  moved  the  planets  on  creation's  morn, 
Erewhile  rejoiced  the  sons  of  God,  that  time 
was  born? 

III. 

Ask  why  on  ocean's  bosom  swells  the  tide  ? 

To  rear  the  mighty  oak,  whose  is  the  power  ? 
Who  bade  the  storm  the  whirlwind  steed  to 
ride? 

Who  gave  a  being  to  the  bashful  flower  ? 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TKIUMPH.          177 

Who  taught  the  steel  to  lead  the  lightning's  car  ? 
Or  point  its  finger  to  the  polar  star  ? 

If  these  delight  us,  things  but  of  an  hour, 
What  raptures  shall  we  feel  the  source  to  find, 
And  comprehend  the  powers  of  th'  immortal 
mind  ? 

IT. 

The  mind !  ethereal  spark,  whose  fitful  light, 
Soft  as  the  morning's  look,  first  breaks  to 

view, 

Then,  like  the  chain] ess  meteor,  flashing  bright. 
Would  fain  its  wildly  blazing  course  pursue. 
Kow  stretch  afar  the  telescopic  eye, 
To  catch  a  world  from  the  unfathomed  sky  : 
Alternate  now  the  wondering  gaze  renew 
From  insect's  home  to  angel's  bright  abode  — • 
Itself  the  noblest  work  of  its  Creator  God. 

Y. 

Nor  noble  is  the  mind  but  by  its  deeds  ; 
9 


1-78          THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.  . 

Full  many  a  powerful  intellect  appears, 
And  smiles  "with  hate  when  heavenly  mercy 

bleeds ; 

Full  many  a  soul,  estranged  to  better  fears, 
"Whose   courage  fails  where  virtue  firmness 

gains, 

Loves  the  "  bad  eminence  "  itself  attains. 
Though  Charity  should  pour  her  cleansing 

tears, 

Yet  not,  in  all  the  fleeting  hours  of  time, 
Can   mental    wealth  excuse  or  wash  away  a 
crime. 

VI. 

Not  so  the  lofty  souls  whose  praise  I  sing, 
Not  born  to  drink  of  Freedom's  purest  foun 
tain, 

Nor  gently  fanned,  as  by  the  breath  of  spring, 
"With  softening  zephyrs  from  a  rural  moun 
tain. 
Not  where  the  love  of  libertv  and  truth 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.          179 

Could  expiate  the  lesser  faults  of  youth  ; 
"Where  virtues  great,  pretended  crimes  sur 
mounting, 

Could  dissipate  the  clouds  to  viewless  air, 
That  breathe  suspicion  on  a  reputation  fair. 

VII. 

But  in  a  land  where  ruder  storms  prevailed, 
And  Freedom's   hallowed  flame  had  nigh 

expired  ; 

"Where  other  men  from  moral  weakness  failed, 
And  from  the  thickening  contest  had  retired ; 
Where  Bigotry  had  raised  her  horrid  head, 
And  honest  hearts,  the  land  that  overspread, 
Fanatic  men  opposed,  with  vengeance  fired  : 
"Were  born  the  fearless  men  whose  pilgrim-feet 
From  proud  oppression  turned  to  find  a  calm 
retreat. 

VIII 

But  in  that  hour  what  anguish  pierced  the  sonl ! 


180          THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

Upon  a  barren,  unfrequented  heath, 
Unvisited  but  by  the  ceaseless  roll 

Of  waves  that  came  and  spent  their  foaming 

breath, 

Then  died  and  slept  within  their  ocean-grave, 
"While  new-born  billows  did  successive  lave 

The  shore,  and  in  succession  sink  to  death, 
All  undismayed  the  trusting  Pilgrims  stood, 
Their  homes  behind,  their  eyes  were  fixed  upon 
the  flood. 

IX. 

But  they  were  now  upon  the  troubled  ocean, 
Whose  mountain-waves,   exulting   in  their 

might, 

The  trembling  vessel  tossed  with  wild  commo 
tion  ; 
The    dimly  twinkling    stars    their    beacon 

light, 

The  breath  of  heaven  the  life-inspiring  gale 
That  onward  bore  the  proudly  swelling  sail. 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TKIUMPH.          181 

Through  many  a  weary-  day,  and  darksome 

night 

It  rode,  with  canvas  rent,  and  broken  spars, 
Led  by  the  light  that  sparkled  from  the  king 
of  stars. 

X. 

Lo !  now  the  hopeful  land  salutes  the  eye, 
Where   glassy  lakes   and  rivers,  sparkling 

bright, 
Reflect  the  beauteous  drapery  of  the  sky, 

And  green-robed  hills  are  laughing  with  de 
light  ; 

Amid  the  surge's  wild,  tumultuous  roar, 
They  strive  with  sinewy  arm  to  gain  the  shore ; 
While  winds  and  waves  the  undiminished 

might 

Of  that  heroic  crew  in  vain  would  mock, 
Unharmed    they  land   on   Plymouth's    ever 
lasting  rock. 


182          THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 


XL 

Here  from  the  altar,  built  in  earliest  time 
By  God  omnipotent,  were  heard  to  rise 
Th'  undying  notes  of  prayer  and  praise  sub 
lime. 

And  here,  beneath  the  temple  of  the  skies, 
Commingling  with  the  music  of  the  breeze, 
And  wildly  roaring  anthems  of  the  seas, 

Was  offered  up  the  holiest  sacrifice 
By  pious  hearts  to  God  Almighty  given  — 
A  Conscience  pure,  with  sin  at  war,  at  peace 
with  heaven. 

XII. 

As  morning  dawned  of  each  returning  day, 
With  vig'rous  strength  their  labors  were  re 
newed  : 

Before  them  fled  the  forest  fast  away, 

And  swift  the  hordes  of  savage  men  pursued. 

Fair  Culture  smiled  in  beauty  on  the  plain, 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.          183 

Where  late  the  forest  held  majestic  reign. 

"Where  sat  enthroned  sublime,  grave  solitude, 
The  social  circle  lit  the  social  smile  — 
Of  Freedom's  temple  there  began  the  lofty  pile. 

XIII. 

But  scarce  the  rolling  years  more  swiftly  flew, 

Than  Enterprise  pursued  his  onward  flight ; 

Than  fleeting  hours  more  fast  their  numbers 

grew, 

And  brighter  than  the  sun,  the  holy  light, 
That  now  began  from  many  a  hallowed  shrine, 
To  blaze  with  freedom  and  with  truth  to  shine; 
And  stronger  than  the  fabled  giants'  might, 
Became,  with  reason  armed,  their  moral  force, 
Sublimer  than  the  rolling  worlds  their  onward 
course ! 

XIY. 

Not  lofty  mountain  nor  the  bending  river, 
JS"or  deeply  dark  unmeasured- forest  shade, 


184:         THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

Nor  savage  warrior,  with  his  bow  and  quiver, 

Nor  aught  in  fearful  or  sublime  arrayed 
Of  Nature's  gloomy  drapery ;  nor  clouds 
That  hung  upon  the  hills  like  mourning  shrouds, 
Nor  snows  that  Culture's  winding  sheet  had 

o 

made  : 
Could  check  the  course,  much  less  the  soul 

subdue, 
Of  bold  Adventure,  seeking  scenes  forever  new. 

XV. 

And  where,  on  favored  spots,  profusely  fell 
The  gifts  dispensed  by  Nature's  bounteous 
hand, 

And  woods  and  streams  so  eloquently  well 
Bespoke  the  greatness  of  their  native  land  : 

Prophetic  thought!  not  this  th'  unhappy  clime 

"Where  hopes  like  these  are  falsified  by  time. 
Not  here  the  servile  souls  that  brook  com 
mand 

Of  tyrants ;  but  their  Country's  power  supreme 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.          185 

They  proudly  praise,  and  ceaseless  sing  th'  ex 
ulting  theme. 

XYI. 

Jn  times  of  danger,  like  a  magic  spell, 
Arose  the  master-spirits  of  the  land, 
Ambitious  each  to  serve  his  country  well ; 

And  when  Oppression  raised  her  iron  hand, 
To  grasp  the  wealth  that  avarice   would  not 

steal, 
And  mocked  the  pains  that  tyrants  made  them 

feel, 

By  adding  wrongs  to  insolent  command  : 
As  fires  produced  by  flint  and  steel  combined, 
These  ruder  times  struck  out  the  nobler  powers 
of  mind. 

XVII. 

Bold  Eloquence  with  strains  persuasive  came, 
And  rung  his  mellow  voice  with   music's 
tone, 

a* 


186         THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

When  Freedom's  kindling  zeal  burst  forth  in 

flame, 

And  saw  a  monarch  on  his  trembling  throne  ; 
Dispensing  vile  oppression's  wrongs  to  those 
TJnterrified  by  fear  of  human  woes. 
From    peak    to  peak    by  bounding    echo 

thrown, 

Prophetic  words  with  freezing  terror  rung, 
Till  lost  in  clouds  that  o'er  the  Alleghanies 

hung. 

XVIII. 

Not  brighter  is  the  lightning's  flashing  stream, 

Nor  louder  is  the  thunder's  awful  peal, 
Than  then  appeared  their  weapons'  dazzling 

gleam, 
Than  sounded  then  their  arms  of  clashing 

steel. 

Fair  Freedom,  who  had  for  a  season  slept, 
Now  waking,  saw  her  sons  in  chains,  and  wept. 
The  nation  breathed  with  full  heroic  zeal, 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TKITJMPH.          187 

"While  every  town  and  hamlet  heard  th'  alarms, 
And  every  man  in  hut  or  hovel  rushed  to  arms. 

XIX. 

The  hour  of  trial  came.    It  was  a  day 

Eventful  in  the  history  of  time. 
Contending  armies  stood  in  proud  array, 

Whose  armor  gleamed,  whose  banners  waved 

sublime  ; 

"When  through  the  deadening  fires  of  battle  red, 
The  youthful  hero,  on  his  army  led, 

And  martial  music  rung  its  awful  chime, 
The  warrior  laid  him  in  the  soldier's  grave ! 
He  fell  in  manhood's  pride,  and  sleeps  among 
the  bravo. 

XX. 

Xot  Bunker's  classic  hill,  whose  hoary  head 

Full  oft  the  lightning's  fiery  wing  had  seared  ; 
Whose  towering  oaks  were  laid  among  the 
dead, 


188         THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

When  erst  the  thunderbolts  of  heaven  ap 
peared, 

Had  ever  made  such  signs  of  grief,  as  when 
His  brow  was  stained  with  blood  of  dauntless 

men. 
That  time  hath  passed,  and  on  his  head  is 

reared 

A  monument  that  shall  perpetuate 
Their  fame,   whose   death   hath  sanctified  a 
cause  so  great. 

XXL 

The  purpose  of  the  land  the  Patriot  breathed, 
Which   angels    whispered    in    the    ears  of 

heaven  ; 

The    warrior    then     his    fearless    sword    un 
sheathed 
To   claim  the  rights  by  God  and   Nature 

given  ; 

Their  hearts,  made  bold  by  hope,  and  truth, 
and  right, 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.          189 

Their  arms  were  nerved  by  more  than  mortal 

might. 

As  flies  the  cloud  before  the  tempest  driven, 
So  fled  Britannia's  host  before  the  power 
Of  warlike  men  ordained  to  signalize  the  hour ! 

XXII. 

O,  who  the  moral  grandeur  can  portray 

That  marks  a  nation  struggling  to  be  free  ! 

Or  who  relate  the  glories  of  the  day 

When  Truth  proclaimed  the  birth  of  liberty  ! 

What  nobler  theme  could  angels'  harps  employ 

Than  bear  to  heaven  Columbia's  bursting  joy, 
When  sang  her  sons  the  first  great  jubilee, 

Which  rang  from  every  vale  where  Culture 
smiled, 

To  hills  above  the  clouds  in  rocky  turrets  piled ! 

XXIII. 

The  heroes  of  that  day!    where  sleeps  their 
dust  ? 


190          THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

Their  memory,  what  monumental  stone 
Preserves  ?  or  where  inscribed  the  sculptured 

bust? 

Their  fame  is  graven  on  a  nobler  throne  — 
To  mark  their  graves  no  gloomy  tapers  burn, 
JN"or  rest  their  ashes  in  a  golden  urn  :  — 

They  lie  in  hallowed  ground,  but  not  alone. 
The  world  shall  bless  the  names  from  age  to 

age, 

Of  Yernon's  Patriot  Chief  and   Monticello's 
Sage ! 

XXIY. 

"The  Father  of  his  Country !"  — who  shall 

sing 
His  praise?   With  reverence  let  the  muse 

his  name 
Pronounce,   and   soaring   up,   with   heavenly 

wing, 

"Whence  Truth  and  Justice,  Love  and  Mercy 
came, 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TKITJMPH.          191 

The  volume  the  recording  angel  keeps 
Unfold  and  read  it  when  his  body  sleeps, 
And  men  the  spotless  page  shall  see,  and 

Fame 

And  Fortune,  Genius,  Learning,  Noble  Birth, 
Shall  stand  abashed  before  his  majesty  and 

worth. 

XX  Y. 

Thou  hero !  —  softly  rest  the  earth  above  thee, 

And  moistened  be  it  with  the  tears  of  heaven; 

"While,  from  the  glowing  hearts  of  those  who 

love  thee, 

Shall  blessings  come  upon  the  breeze  of  even : 
For  thee,  O  sweetly  smile  the  early  flowers 
That  kiss   the   sun  and   drink  the   softening 

showers, 

And  unto  thee  the  priceless  meed  be  given  : 
Immortal  spirit !  't  is  a  vision  bright 
To  view  a  ransomed  people,  radiant  with  de 
light! 


192          THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 


XXYL 

Nor  unremembered  are  the  thousand  names 

Of  valiant  men,  who  were  his  friends  of  old 

In  council  and  in  arms.     The  world  proclaims 

Their  praise  more  sure  than  characters  of 

gold, 

And  like  the  gentle  moon,  upon  their  tombs 
Fond  memory  smiles,  and  hope  their  path  il 
lumes, 
Beyond  the   course  the  farthest  orb  hath 

rolled, 

While  every  star  that  lights  the  milky  way, 
Shall  deck  the  crown  that  waits  for  them  the 
final  day ! 

XXYII. 

Among  the  living  there  are  few,  and  they 

Are  changed.    Departed  is  th'  elastic  tread  ; 
Their  flaxen  locks  are  turned  to  silver  gray, 
And  all  the  vigor  of  their  youth  is  fled  ; 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.  193 

But  memory  revives  their  glowing  hearts, 
And  brightly  shines  the  humble  tear  that  starts, 
As  they  behold  the  tombs  of  honored  dead ; 
For   O,  how  dear  to  Heaven  the   Patriot's 

prayer, 
Breathed  on  the  altar  Freedom  has  erected 

there ! 

XXVIII. 

But  most  of  these  have  passed  away.    The 

grave 
Has   claimed   earth's  noblemen,  and   they 

have  died, 
Lamented  by  the  good  and  mourned  as  brave. 

Some  sleep  afar  upon  the  mountain's  side  ; 
Some  on  the  hill  the  gushing  fountain  laves  ; 
Some  in  the  valley  where  the  woodbine  waves, 
For  every  spot  where  flows  the  zephyr's  tide, 
Or  frowns  the  storm,  or  smiles  the  floweret's 

bloom, 
Is  hallowed  by  the  signal  of  a  soldier's  tomb ! 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 


XXIX. 

Auspicious  hour !  birth-day  of  liberty  ! 

Day  that  asunder  burst  the  tyrant's  chain  ! 
Day    that    proclaimed    the    charter    of    the 

free! 

The  fun'ral  rite  of  black  oppression's  reign, 
When  despots  wore  their  sable  weeds  of  woe, 
Gave  to  thy  hallowed  light  a  brighter  glow. 
Great  day !  thy  glad  return  brought  joy  and 

pain, 
When    on    thy  morn    awoke    their   nation's 

pride  — 

Great  men!  —  their  God  and  Country  blessed, 
and  smiled,  and  died  ! 

XXX. 

Long  shall  the  memory  of  that  day  endure  ; 
And  for  that  great  deliverance  breathe  de 
votion 
To  God  Almighty,  passionless  and  pure  ; 


THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH.  195 

And  millions,  filled  with  transports  of  emo 
tion, 
Shall  hail  its  light  with  shows,  and  games,  and 

plays, 

And  joyous  give  the  God  of  battles  praise ! 
Throughout  the  land,  and  on  the  waves  of 

ocean, 

Upon  the  mountain,  and  along  the  river, 
Shall  guns  and  drums  be  heard,  and  bonfires 
burn  forever ! 

XXXI. 

Our  Country !  when  shall  kindling  hope  essay 

To  cheer  the  dreamer's  visionary  hour, 
"With  words  prophetic  of  the  future  day 

That)  waits   thy  rising  empire's  boundless 

power ! 

How  grandly  beautiful  thy  mighty  floods  ; 
How  terribly  sublime  thy  darkened  woods, 
Where  climbs  to   dizzy  heights  the  moun 
tain  tower, 


196           THE  PATRIOT'S  TRIUMPH. 

And  solitude,  in  dusky  robes  arrayed, 
Holds  full  dominion  o'er  the  melancholy  shade! 

XXXII 

Who  that  hath  seen,  where  stood  the  forest's 
pride, 

How  cities  rise  where  Enterprise  awakes, 
And  o'er  the  wildly  heaving  billows  ride, 

With  sweep  sublime,  the  navies  of  the  Lakes, 
Shall  see,  throughout  our  wide  extended  land, 
The  flame  of  Freedom  brighten  and  expand, 

And  feel  the  rapture  on  the  soul  that  breaks, 
When  o'er  the  works  of  art  shall  stand  sublime, 
The  Patriot's  Triumph,  bright  above  the  wreck 
of  time ! 


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